Pakistan’s interim information technology minister, Umar Saif, stated that they had prepared the draft of the National AI Policy and was currently in consultation with relevant stakeholders to finalize it by December.

With AI becoming more readily accessible, governments and private sectors worldwide are beginning to reap its benefits while performing day-to-day functions. Pakistan’s planning ministry also acknowledged in April that AI incorporation in different government sectors would lead to better decision-making processes, personalized medical treatments and enhanced learning experiences and solutions that were previously unattainable. 

Arab News reported the statement of the information minister, which stated that this policy has far-reaching consequences. They have put the policy for public consultation. There is a draft which helped us get public comments from outside and inside the country. According to the report, they will also need to train people to develop AI skills according to the policy since they can be quite valuable.

The minister stated that the goal is to finalize and notify this AI policy by December. Syed Junaid Imam, the spokesperson for the information technology ministry, also remarked to Arab News that the country’s AI would be finalized after consultation with all stakeholders before being sent to the federal cabinet for approval.

The policy is developed based on four main points: enabling AI through awareness and readiness, AI market enablement, building a progressive and trusted environment, and its transformation and evolution.

Arab News also shared a recent notification by the country’s information ministry, which stated that forming a policy committee will lead the policy consultation process and finalize the draft.

Read the full report here.