Pakistan has just launched its National AI Policy 2025[1], aiming to position the country as a tech leader. The federal cabinet approved it in late July 2025. The plan rests on six strategic pillars:
- Innovation
- Skills
- Secure & Ethical use
- Sectoral Transformation
- Infrastructure
- International Collaboration
One bold target is to build a $2.7 billion domestic AI market within five years. To support this, the government will create a National AI Fund (NAIF) under Ignite, channeling about 30 percent of Ignite’s R&D budget into AI development.
Skilling, Education & Jobs
The policy promises to train 200,000 people annually in AI tools. It also aims to award 3,000 postgraduate/PhD scholarships per year, provide interest-free loans to 15,000 high-tech students, and fund 20,000 internships annually. Special modules will target women and persons with disabilities.
Infrastructure & Governance
To boost AI research, the policy proposes Centers of Excellence across cities. It also mentions establishing an AI Directorate or ethics board. A public register of AI systems and regulatory sandboxes for generative AI are also planned.
On the infrastructure side, a national compute network will tie together universities and research centers. The government plans to upgrade public data centers and give access to about 100 universities/research institutions.
Sectoral Adoption & Incentives
The policy defines roadmaps for healthcare, agriculture, education, energy, and more. It encourages AI adoption through tax breaks, subsidies, and a “Ranking Management System” to help public agencies pick reliable AI tools. It also pledges 50,000 civic AI projects and 1,000 local AI products.
The AI policy emphasizes foreign partnerships, talent exchanges, and participation in global AI platforms. Earlier in 2025, Pakistan allocated 2,000 MW electricity to support AI data centers; a move reinforcing this vision.
Bottom Line
Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025 brings clear direction. It combines bold market projections with detailed skilling, infrastructure, governance, and adoption plans. Though many numbers are projections, several are already backed by government actions and announcements. If implemented well, this policy could reshape Pakistan’s tech future.
References
- ^ National AI Policy 2025 (www.techjuice.pk)