February 9, 2026 (MLN): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced plans to invest $1 billion in Pakistan’s artificial intelligence sector until 2030, with the aim of building a future-ready digital economy and empowering the country’s youth.
Speaking at the first session of Indus AI Week, the Prime Minister said the funds will support the development of a comprehensive national AI ecosystem.
According to the APP report, key initiatives include introducing an AI curriculum to all federally run schools, awarding 1,000 fully-funded doctoral scholarships in the field of AI, and training 1 million non-IT professionals in AI skills across the country.
He said Pakistan is ready to work with global partners to tackle technological challenges, adding that AI interventions will target agriculture, mining, minerals, industry, commerce, trade and youth empowerment.
With nearly 60% of Pakistan’s 240 million population comprising young people, the Prime Minister stressed the need to equip them with modern knowledge and technical skills.
Responding to concerns about rapid technological change, he said the government’s program will help IT technicians transition into AI specialists while increasing productivity, industrial output and women’s empowerment.
The Prime Minister pointed to ongoing digital reforms, including digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue, data-driven revenue recovery, and installation of modern scanners at ports to curb smuggling, as evidence of Pakistan’s readiness for innovation.
He also linked the current AI push to earlier digital initiatives under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, including the laptop distribution scheme, electronic libraries in remote areas, electronic stamp paper, digitized land records in partnership with the World Bank, the Safe City project, and the establishment of the country’s first IT university in Lahore.
IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Indus AI Week aims to strengthen collaboration between universities, government agencies and international technology companies, and Pakistan Digital Authority is preparing a nationwide digital master plan.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the global economy is increasingly being shaped by ideas, talent, data and technology rather than goods, and said artificial intelligence is a bigger disruptor than electricity or the internet, noting Pakistan’s early investments in IT policy, NADRA and advanced human capital.
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