Pakistan has launched an ambitious national strategy to transform itself into a competitive force in the global digital economy, unveiling the National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025 with a bold target of training one million citizens in AI technologies by 2030.
The comprehensive plan, announced by Minister for IT and Telecom (MoITT) Shaza Fatima Khawaja, seeks to develop a robust AI talent ecosystem while embedding artificial intelligence across government, education, and industry.
Under the initiative’s flagship National AI Skill Development Program, 200,000 individuals will be trained annually. Complementing this effort, a “Train-the-Trainer” scheme will prepare 10,000 certified AI instructors by 2027 to ensure sustainable capacity building nationwide.
To strengthen hands-on experience, the government plans to offer 20,000 internships each year through a High-Tech Internship Program, while 3,000 postgraduate and doctoral scholarships and loans for 15,000 students will support advanced education in AI and related fields.
For effective oversight and implementation, a high-level Artificial Intelligence Council and a Policy Implementation Cell have been established. The government will also set up Centres of Excellence in major cities to drive innovation, research, and training.
To encourage entrepreneurship, a dedicated funding ecosystem is being built. This includes a National AI Fund, a venture capital fund to support startups, and an Innovation Fund for the Centres of Excellence, ensuring innovators have access to capital, labs, and expert guidance.
Inclusivity remains central to the policy. Specialized DigiSkills programs will empower women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities, with awareness campaigns in local languages to promote broader participation in the digital economy.
In a transformative move for governance, the policy mandates that all public servants receive AI training by 2027, while educational reforms will integrate AI into school and university curricula.
Minister Khawaja emphasized that the National AI Policy 2025 is not just a technology plan but a vision for economic empowerment and inclusive growth. “Pakistan’s AI journey will be powered by its people. We are building a future-ready nation equipped to lead in the digital age,” she said.
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The initiative will operate under a public-private partnership framework, involving universities, enterprises, and the Pakistani diaspora to ensure sustainable and inclusive technological progress.