ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has opted to include international artificial intelligence (AI) experts in its AI council aimed at executing the country’s National Artificial Intelligence policy. This decision is part of an effort to avoid traditional bureaucratic dominance and enhance the implementation of the policy, which has faced delays due to inadequate input and coordination.
The National AI Policy was approved by the federal cabinet in July 2025. However, according to sources within the Ministry of IT and Telecom, the federal government sought feedback from provincial authorities on the draft AI policy only about a month ago. This delay has hindered the establishment of the proposed AI Council, which is intended to guide policy development and regulation for AI in Pakistan. Despite being a pivotal element of the policy framework, the council has yet to be officially notified.
The envisioned AI Council is expected to consist of representatives from key federal ministries and regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Federal Education. Additionally, it will likely include the heads of the Higher Education Commission and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Officials indicate that the council will be instrumental in aligning AI initiatives with national priorities, regulating emerging technologies, and facilitating coordination between federal and provincial stakeholders.
Despite these efforts, experts point out that Pakistan’s existing AI infrastructure poses significant challenges. The country suffers from a severe shortage of high-performance computing (HPC) data centers, which are crucial for advanced AI research and the development of large-scale models. Currently, only three universities in Pakistan are reported to have functional HPC data centers, while telecom operators’ data centers primarily cater to conventional IT and network operations, proving inadequate for modern AI workloads.
The private sector has shown increasing interest in investing in data centers for AI-related services. However, the lack of a clear government policy and regulatory framework has led to uncertainty, stifling potential investments. Analysts caution that without timely decisions concerning policy, institutional coordination, and infrastructure development, Pakistan risks falling further behind in the global race for artificial intelligence, which could undermine its broader digital and economic ambitions.
While the establishment of the AI Council, which would be responsible for providing strategic direction and overseeing the policy implementation process, remains pending, the Ministry of IT is moving forward by incorporating both local and international experts into its structure. Currently, the council is characterized by a heavy bureaucratic framework that does not include AI specialists, a gap that many see as detrimental to effective policy execution.
The inclusion of international experts is seen as a positive step toward modernizing Pakistan’s approach to AI, as it aims to integrate global best practices into local frameworks. The government’s strategy reflects an acknowledgment of the fast-paced developments in AI technology and the necessity for informed governance that adapts to these changes.
As the discourse surrounding AI continues to evolve, the urgent need for robust infrastructure and a cohesive policy framework becomes increasingly clear. The potential for progress in Pakistan’s digital economy hinges on the successful establishment and functioning of the proposed AI Council, which many hope will catalyze advancements in this critical sector.
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