Pakistan to Invest $1bn in AI by 2030: PM Shehbaz
News Desk
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced that Pakistan will invest $1 billion in artificial intelligence by 2030 to develop a national AI ecosystem, declaring the country ready to join the next global wave of technological transformation.
The prime minister made the announcement while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Indus AI Week 2026, attended by federal ministers, senior officials and delegations from several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
“The Government of Pakistan is committed to investing $1 billion in artificial intelligence by 2030, which will go a long way in building a strong AI ecosystem in our country,” Shehbaz said.
He announced the introduction of an AI curriculum in all federally run schools, as well as in educational institutions across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and remote areas of Balochistan, to prepare young people for leadership roles in the digital economy.
The prime minister also unveiled plans to award 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI by 2030, aimed at building world-class research capacity and establishing fully equipped national research centres.
In addition, he said a nationwide programme to train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills would be launched to boost productivity and improve livelihoods across sectors.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pakistan-urges-un-charter-oversight-of-artificial-intelligence/
Highlighting priority areas, Shehbaz said artificial intelligence would be deployed primarily in agriculture, mines and minerals, and youth empowerment, noting that nearly 60 per cent of Pakistan’s 240 million population comprises young people who must be equipped with modern skills.
Calling the initiative a “game changer,” the prime minister said Indus AI Week marked a turning point in Pakistan’s technological future and would strengthen collaboration with international partners.
Recalling earlier reforms, Shehbaz referred to initiatives launched under former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, including education, health, revenue reforms and youth empowerment programmes. He cited the laptop distribution scheme, introduction of e-libraries in schools, digitisation of land records in Punjab with World Bank support, the launch of e-stamp papers, and the establishment of Pakistan’s first Safe City project and IT university in Lahore.
Addressing concerns within the IT industry, the prime minister urged startups and professionals not to fear rapid technological change, assuring that government initiatives would help transition IT workers into AI specialists.
He said AI adoption would enhance agricultural yield and efficiency and support industry, commerce, trade and women-led innovation, while assuring international partners of Pakistan’s commitment to collaboration in the AI domain.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/punjab-to-implement-artificial-intelligence-for-price-control/
Shehbaz also highlighted ongoing digital reforms, noting improvements in the Federal Board of Revenue through digitisation and the use of modern technology to curb smuggling and revenue leakage at ports.
Concluding his address, the prime minister acknowledged challenges ahead but said Pakistan’s resolve to move forward remained firm.
Indus AI Week Held in Sindh
Separately, Indus AI Week Sindh 2026 was held at Karachi’s NED University of Engineering and Technology, bringing together policymakers, government officials, defence representatives, academia, industry leaders, AI practitioners and youth stakeholders.
Sindh Chief Minister’s Special Assistant for Science and IT Ali Rashid attended the event, held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence for National Development.” Other participants included Dr Fahad Shafiq, Sindh Coordinator of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, MQM-P MPA Syed Shariq Jamal, Advocate Anwer Ali Faridi Shah Madar and Major Syed Munawar Hussain Shah of ISPR
Speakers underscored the importance of AI in governance, healthcare, education and economic competitiveness. Panel discussions focused on AI integration in public policy, national security, academia–industry collaboration, responsible AI deployment and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
