Amir Saeed

Pakistan has kicked off an ambitious push to develop digital skills and expand access to emerging technologies under the National AI Policy 2025, which is seen as blueprint for the country’s technological advancement.

Talking to WealthPK, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, former chairman of Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), welcomed the approval of the long-awaited policy. “During my tenure as chairman, foundational work of the policy was undertaken, and I’m pleased to note that it has now received formal approval,” he said.

The policy, recently approved by the government, outlines a comprehensive strategy to place human capital at the centre of the country’s digital future. It aims to build a workforce ready for a tech-driven global economy by training 200,000 individuals annually, offering 3,000 scholarships, and creating 20,000 paid internships.

Zohaib emphasised that the real test now lies in the policy’s execution. “Policy formulation alone is insufficient; the ultimate success lies in its execution. It is vital that competent and relevant professionals lead this process to translate vision into tangible outcomes,” he stressed.

He credited the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for accelerating digital initiatives over the past two years, calling the AI policy a timely step given the global tech momentum.

“We are at a critical juncture globally, and Pakistan must capitalise on this opportunity,” Zohaib added. “The policy rightly emphasises the intersection of business development, governance, and skills enhancement, with capacity building as a cornerstone,” he said.

The AI Policy 2025 also integrates digital education into national curricula and prioritises the upskilling of teachers, civil servants, and public-sector employees, ensuring institutional readiness across sectors like health, governance, and agriculture.

Training content is being co-developed by government bodies, universities, and EdTech platforms, tailored to Pakistan’s regional, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity. Special emphasis is being placed on reaching out to women and youth in rural and marginalised communities.

The former P@SHA chairman underscored the need for hands-on training through AI bootcamps, robust research and development infrastructure, and lifelong learning systems.

“The AI ecosystem – software, hardware, data, execution – requires readiness. AI will disrupt some job functions, yes, but more importantly, it will enhance productivity and unlock new growth opportunities,” he noted.

“Pakistan’s growing IT exports to markets like the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Canada could see a boost with effective policy rollout,” Zohaib said.

“This policy is more than a strategic document; it’s a blueprint for Pakistan’s technological advancement,” Zohaib said and added, “This is the pathway to sustainable development.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk