In July 2025, the Federal Cabinet of Pakistan, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025, marking the country’s first comprehensive strategy to build an AI-driven future and integrate artificial intelligence into the economy and public services.
The policy is designed to create a complete national AI ecosystem by bringing together government, academia, industry, and civil society to harness AI for productive growth and social benefit. It is structured around a six-pillar framework that focuses on innovation, infrastructure, capacity building, public awareness, secure systems, ethical governance, and partnerships both domestic and international. A core objective of the policy is to train one million Pakistanis in AI skills by 2030, addressing the global demand for tech talent and preparing the country’s youth for the digital economy.
This includes training 10,000 AI trainers, offering 20,000 internships annually, and providing 3,000 advanced research scholarships each year. By investing in human capital, the government aims to ensure that Pakistan’s workforce is competitive and future-ready. To support innovation and entrepreneurship, the policy introduces an AI Innovation Fund and an AI Venture Fund to encourage investment in startups and research projects. Over the next five years, the government aims to see 1,000 locally developed AI products and 50,000 AI-enabled public service projects that can improve governance, healthcare, education, and agriculture. Inclusion is a major theme of the policy, with special emphasis placed on ensuring opportunities for women, persons with disabilities, and under-represented groups through inclusive training programs, financing options, and targeted outreach campaigns. It also calls for AI training for public servants to make government services more efficient and responsive.
The policy further seeks to strengthen cybersecurity and national data protection frameworks and align Pakistan’s standards with global AI regulations, helping the country attract international partnerships and investment. A National AI Council and an Action Matrix will oversee the implementation, ensuring that goals are met on time and in a coordinated way. Officials have highlighted that this move is not just about technology for technology’s sake but about transforming Pakistan’s productivity, public services, and global competitiveness, especially as AI shapes economies worldwide. The government views AI as a critical driver to diversify the economy beyond traditional sectors, fostering innovation that can lead to new business models and digital exports.
By integrating AI into agriculture, the policy aims to increase crop yields and sustainability through precision farming technologies. In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostics and telemedicine services are expected to improve access and quality, especially in rural areas. Education is set to benefit from personalized learning platforms and smart content that can bridge gaps in traditional systems. The policy also stresses ethical AI development, mandating transparent algorithms and accountability to avoid bias and misuse. In essence, the National AI Policy 2025 lays out a bold roadmap to equip Pakistan with the skills, infrastructure, and innovation culture needed for the AI era, opening doors for millions of youth and positioning the country in the global digital landscape as a competitive and responsible AI adopter.