Signaling a decisive shift towards a technology-led future, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a $1 billion investment in artificial intelligence by 2030, unveiling extensive education, research and skills initiatives aimed at building a national AI ecosystem and preparing Pakistan’s youth for leadership roles in the digital economy. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Indus AI Week in Islamabad, the prime minister said the investment would strengthen Pakistan’s AI landscape and help youth transition from IT technicians to AI experts, describing the event as a potential "game changer" for the country’s technology sector. He announced that an AI curriculum would be introduced in all federally run schools as well as in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and most parts of Balochistan. It also revealed plans for 1,000 fully funded AI PhD scholarships by 2030 to develop world-class research capacity. Additionally, the government will launch a nationwide program to train one million non-IT professionals in artificial intelligence skills to boost productivity and improve livelihoods, as part of efforts to build a future-ready digital economy and empower Pakistani youth.
"Pakistan is absolutely ready to accept the challenge and work with our global partners, with great commitment and dedication." Shehbaz said, adding that AI interventions would focus on priority sectors such as agriculture, mines and minerals, industry, commerce and youth empowerment. With a population of around 240 million, almost 60% of whom are young, he highlighted the urgency of equipping the next generation with modern knowledge and techniques, assuring IT professionals that government programs would help them transition to advanced AI roles. He said the adoption of AI could unlock unprecedented gains in agricultural yield, quality and efficiency, along with industrial growth and women’s empowerment, while pointing to ongoing digital reforms as proof of Pakistan’s readiness. Citing examples, he referred to digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), improving revenue recovery through data-driven systems and use of modern digital scanners and instruments at ports to curb smuggling.
"We are recovering lost income through technology and offering quality training to our young men and women in agriculture, trade and commerce," said. Recalling earlier initiatives under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, the prime minister said the current AI push builds on past reforms, including distribution of laptops to high achievers in Punjab, e-libraries in remote areas, e-stamps and digitization of land records in partnership with the World Bank to curb corruption. He also noted that Pakistan’s first Safe City project and first IT university were established in Lahore, and said lessons from those efforts had helped shape current digital ambitions. Speaking on the occasion, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that the Indus AI Week aimed to strengthen coordination between universities, governments and international companies, underlining Pakistan’s commitment to a digital revolution. He added that the Pakistan Digital Authority was preparing a nationwide digital master plan, noting that this year marks one year since the implementation of the national AI policy launched in September 2025. (WITH APPLICATION INPUTS)
