Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a $1 billion government investment in Pakistan’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector by 2030, alongside plans to offer 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships to build a future-ready digital economy and empower youth.
Addressing the inaugural session of Indus AI Week, the prime minister said the investment would help establish a robust AI ecosystem across the country.
He announced that an AI curriculum would be introduced in all federally run schools, while 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI would be offered to students nationwide by 2030. He also unveiled a programme to train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills to boost productivity and improve livelihoods.
“Pakistan is absolutely ready to accept the challenge and work with our global partners, with great commitment and dedication,” he said.
Highlighting priority sectors, the prime minister said AI interventions would focus on agriculture, mines and minerals, industry, commerce, trade and youth empowerment.
With a population of around 240 million, nearly 60 per cent of whom are young, he stressed the need to equip the youth with modern knowledge and technical skills.
Addressing concerns over rapid technological change, he assured IT professionals that government programmes would help transform technicians into AI experts. He said the initiative would unlock major gains in agricultural output, industrial growth and women’s empowerment.
The prime minister cited ongoing digital reforms as evidence of Pakistan’s readiness, including the digitisation of the Federal Board of Revenue, improved revenue recovery through data-driven systems, and the installation of modern scanners and digital tools at ports to curb smuggling.
“We are recovering lost revenues through technology and offering quality training to our young men and women in agriculture, commerce and trade,” he said.
Recalling earlier initiatives under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, he said the current AI drive builds on past reforms, including the laptop distribution programme in Punjab, the establishment of e-libraries in remote areas, the introduction of e-stamp papers, and the digitisation of land records with World Bank support.
He also highlighted the launch of Pakistan’s first Safe City project and first IT university in Lahore.
“We have learned from the past, and today Pakistan is ready to join the world in AI interventions,” he said.
Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Indus AI Week aimed to strengthen coordination among universities, governments and international companies, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to a digital revolution. She said the Pakistan Digital Authority was preparing a nationwide digital master plan to guide future transformation.
Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said the world had entered a phase in which intelligence had become a factor of production, with nations competing on ideas, talent, data and technology rather than on commodities.
He described artificial intelligence as a greater disruptor than electricity or the internet, and said Pakistan’s technology engagement began over two decades ago with early IT policies, the creation of NADRA, and investment in advanced human capital.
