Tech Desk 
Nov 14, 2024
Pakistan’s first artificial intelligence (AI) policy, aimed at boosting the digital economy and transforming the country into a "Digital Pakistan," will be rolled out as early as 2025, the Ministry of IT and Telecom announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at the “Cyber Threat Intelligence 2024” conference organised by Total Communications in Islamabad, Syed Junaid Imam, the Member IT of the IT ministry said the government is actively working on an AI policy.
Pakistan’s AI policy
“Probably in a couple of months, you will see Pakistan’s first AI policy. There is a special focus on AI for cybersecurity and a realisation that AI is important for ensuring cyberspace,” Imam noted.
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Noting Pakistan’s jump from 79th to among the top 40 countries in 2024 in the Global Cybersecurity Index, Imam remarked: "Improvement in this rank does not mean we have become secure. It is just a flag that we are taking steps in the right direction and still have a long way to go."
The AI policy will also help the country rise among the top 10-15 positions in the next GCI, ranking from its current standing among the top 40 countries in 2024.
The Member IT noted that the country’s digital infrastructure is fast developing. “We are in the process of notifying the sectoral CERTs. In a month's time you will see sectoral CERTs like in telecom, banking, and education,” he noted.
However, Secure Networks' founder & CEO Asad Effendi noted that AI can help detect cyber threats in real-time, respond promptly, and help protect valued data and information.
Pakistan's national AI policy is being developed through a collaborative effort between the private sector, participants from industry, academia, and government.
