Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan will invest one billion dollars in artificial intelligence by 2030 to build a strong national AI ecosystem and accelerate digital transformation across key sectors. He shared this vision while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Indus AI Week 2026 in Islamabad, attended by international delegations and senior government officials.
Moreover, the prime minister revealed that artificial intelligence will be introduced as part of the curriculum in federally run schools and institutions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and remote areas of Balochistan. The goal is to prepare young students for leadership roles in the digital economy and future technologies.
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In addition, Shehbaz Sharif announced that one thousand fully funded PhD scholarships in artificial intelligence will be awarded by 2030 to strengthen research capacity. He also launched a nationwide programme to train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills to improve productivity and career opportunities.
Highlighting economic priorities, he said AI deployment will focus on agriculture, mines and minerals, and youth empowerment, which are crucial for national growth. He stressed that nearly sixty percent of Pakistan’s population is young, making investment in modern skills essential for sustainable development.
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The prime minister also linked the AI initiative to past digital reforms, including laptop distribution, e-libraries, land record digitisation, and the Safe City project. He said these experiences proved that technology can improve transparency, efficiency, and service delivery across government institutions.
Concluding his address, Shehbaz Sharif assured international partners that Pakistan is ready to collaborate in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He said the country faces challenges, but remains determined to move forward and secure a competitive position in the global digital landscape.