Page 83 - CMA Journal (July-August 2025)

ECONOMY
O THER F EATURES
WATCH

By ICMA Research and Publica ons Department

Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025:

Roadmap to Digital Transformation

Introduction Transformation, Infrastructure, and International
Partnerships—the policy embeds strong ethical and
Pakistan’s vision for Artificial Intelligence began in 2018 security guidelines, aligning with the UN Sustainable
with the Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence Development Goals and the AI for Good initiative. By
and Computing (PIAIC), launched by President Dr. Arif introducing this framework, Pakistan not only closes the
Alvi to build grassroots skills in AI and emerging strategic gap with South Asian peers such as India, Sri
technologies through mass student enrollment. It Lanka, and Bangladesh but also lays the foundation for a
progressed in May 2023 with the Draft National AI Policy, responsible, inclusive, and sustainable AI-driven future.
which emphasized ethical adoption, inclusivity, funding
mechanisms, and research infrastructure. In July 2025, Pakistan’s National AI Policy is built on six strategic
Pakistan approved its first National AI Policy, presenting a pillars that turn ambitions into actionable plans:
comprehensive strategy to develop a complete AI 1) AI Innovation Ecosystem – National AI Fund (30% of
ecosystem by 2030 through the training of one million Ignite’s R&D budget) and AI Centers of Excellence
professionals, the development of local AI products and connecting academia, startups, and industry.
research, the establishment of startups, strengthened
governance and data security, and projected economic 2) Awareness & Readiness – Training 200,000 people
gains of up to 12% of GDP, along with the creation of 3.5 annually, preparing 10,000 AI trainers, offering 3,000
million AI-linked jobs. postgraduate scholarships yearly, with gender and
disability inclusion.
Pakistan has unveiled its first National Artificial
Intelligence Policy 2025, marking a pivotal step in the 3) Secure AI Environment – Data privacy safeguards,
country’s digital transformation journey. The launch AI-integrated cybersecurity, generative AI guidelines,
comes at a crucial moment, as highlighted by the State human oversight, and regulatory sandboxes.
Bank of Pakistan: IT and IT-enabled services exports rose 4) Transformation & Evolution – AI in healthcare,
to $3.8 billion in FY25, up 18% from the previous year, agriculture, governance, and education, tracked via a
with the freelance and remote work sector surging 90% national Ranking Management System (RMS).
to $779 million. With 116 million broadband users (45.7%
penetration) and a youthful demographic—64% of the 5) AI Infrastructure – High-performance computing,
population under 30—Pakistan is uniquely positioned to national datasets, and AI cloud services for at least
harness AI for inclusive growth. Looking ahead, the 100 institutions.
government has set an ambitious target of $15 billion in 6) International Partnerships – Participation in global
IT exports by 2030, underpinned by structural reforms AI forums, bilateral/multilateral cooperation, and
and digital adoption. alignment with international standards.

Roadmap and Pillars of Pakistan’s AI Policy The policy is operational, not just aspirational, with
measurable goals such as 1,000 local AI products and
The AI Policy provides a structured roadmap to achieve 50,000 civic AI projects within five years. By focusing on
this vision. It establishes a National AI Fund (30% of health, education, agriculture, and governance, it aims to
Ignite’s R&D budget), sets targets to train one million improve service delivery and productivity. AI is projected
people by 2027 and achieve 90% public awareness by to add $10–$20 billion (5–10% of GDP) by 2030,
2026, and creates Centers of Excellence in AI to drive positioning Pakistan as a competitive, knowledge-based
research, incubation, and training. Built on six economy while keeping pace with South Asian peers like
pillars—Innovation, Skills, Secure Systems, Sectoral
India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Jul-Aug 2025 81