The key points of Pakistan’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025 have been revealed following its approval by the federal cabinet yesterday.
The government expects AI adoption to boost Pakistan’s GDP by 7 to 12% by 2030. The AI market is projected to reach $2.7 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.3% between 2024 and 2030. Through focused reskilling and upskilling initiatives, the policy aims to create 3.5 million AI-linked jobs across the country.
The new AI policy is structured around six main pillars:
- AI Innovation Ecosystem
- Awareness and Readiness
- Secure AI Environment
- Transformation and Evolution
- AI Infrastructure
- International Partnerships.
It sets an annual target to train 200,000 individuals in AI and allied technologies, along with preparing 10,000 certified trainers by 2027. The policy also introduces 3,000 postgraduate scholarships and interest-free financing for 15,000 students pursuing high-tech certifications.
A network of Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) will be established in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, with auxiliary centers in cities like Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, and Hyderabad. These centers will focus on research, startup support, curriculum development, and AI model training using high-quality centralized datasets. A National AI Fund will be created by allocating 30% of Ignite’s R&D budget to finance AI-related research and commercialization projects.
To ensure ethical and secure deployment, the policy outlines national cybersecurity frameworks, human oversight mechanisms, data privacy protections, and transparency protocols. It also proposes incentives such as subsidies and tax relief for industries adopting locally developed AI solutions. Additionally, the policy encourages bilateral partnerships, joint research centers, and global exchange programs to enhance Pakistan’s presence in the international AI ecosystem.