Karachi:
The Ministry of IT and Telecommunications (MoITT) plans to launch 20,000 online training programs in artificial intelligence (AI) for fresh graduates, government employees, professionals in various fields, teachers and freelancers across the country through an advanced learning management system (LMS).
The six- to 12-month training program will be introduced under the National AI Advancement Initiative (NAIAI), a strategic national intervention aimed at positioning Pakistan as a competitive leader in the global AI field. The initiative aims to drive innovation in both the public and private sectors, strengthen workforce capabilities, and establish robust AI governance across critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and industry.
The initiative offers specialized AI certification programs to professionals and graduates looking to upskill in high-demand fields such as machine learning, deep learning, and AI ethics. AI literacy programs targeting civil servants and business leaders will also be implemented to ensure informed governance and strategic adoption of AI technologies. According to a request for proposal (RFP), MoITT has invited training and development companies to develop and launch an advanced LMS that can offer multiple AI courses tailored to the demands of the domestic and international markets.
Software and AI expert Asim Tausif Khan said AI has provided Pakistan with a great opportunity to significantly increase its share in the global IT and digital economy. “Pakistan’s share in the global IT sector currently stands at less than 1%. However, with rapid transformation through AI and related technologies, the country has the potential to secure a significant global position through trained human resources and upgraded infrastructure.”
He stressed that Pakistan needs to upskill its youth and professionals at scale, including students with mathematics and science backgrounds, to acquire advanced AI skills that can meet the demands of both the local IT industry and the international market, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Asim Tausif Khan further said that Pakistan, with nearly 65% of its population comprising young people, has the potential to produce highly skilled digital professionals in line with the National AI Policy if both the public and private sectors create opportunities for rapid skill development with a focus on AI. The National AI Policy 2025 aims to upskill 1 million individuals by 2030, including creating 10,000 AI trainers, 20,000 internships per year, and 3,000 advanced research scholarships each year.
Dr. Norman Said, an IT exporter and AI coach, said that adopting AI is no longer an option, but a necessity to remain relevant, productive and part of an in-demand global workforce. He said the government’s AI policy provides a comprehensive roadmap that needs to be implemented through a collaborative effort involving the private sector, IT companies and educational institutions. He further emphasized that AI concepts should be introduced at the secondary school level to expedite the development of a future-ready workforce. “In the future, technologically advanced and technologically savvy nations will make major changes in all areas of life, from IT and e-commerce to healthcare and agriculture, from safe cities to strong defense.”
Estimates suggest that new AI technologies, tools, and applications are expected to replace millions of jobs annually across a variety of sectors, potentially leading to increased unemployment and occupational challenges for many workers.
Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin said the rise of AI could lead to the loss of job opportunities for many freelancers in the future unless they upgrade themselves with in-demand skills and acquire AI expertise on a priority basis. He added that AI technology also represents a huge opportunity for freelancers and professionals entering the job market, provided they are willing to relearn the latest skills and invest time and resources in training and capacity-building efforts. Mr. Amin appreciated the government’s efforts to improve the skills of both the existing and future workforce through planned online training programs.
