Tech Desk 
May 15, 2025
While Pakistan has been making notable strides in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), especially pertaining to the development of an AI chatbot Zahanat AI, a distressing development has emerged for those eagerly awaiting its launch, as the IT ministry has denied any involvement in its development.
The chatbot in question was recently highlighted by the State Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja as Pakistan’s first GPT-like chatbot.
Responding to the Senate Standing Committee on IT, the ministry outlined that Zahanat AI is a private sector initiative and not affiliated with any governmental programme, and that the minister’s aforementioned remarks were referring to a third-party project rather than a state-backed development, as per ProPakistani.
The government encourages private development in AI, but has no association with Zahanat AI, the IT ministry remarked while assuring of its role in creating a supportive environment for emerging technologies.
The Ministry also highlighted its own efforts in the ever-evolving landscape of AI, particularly referring to a government-led project focused on the development of an indigenous Large Language Model (LLM), the initiative which is part of a collaboration between the National Information Technology Board (NITB), the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), and telecom operator Jazz.
In light of the IT ministry's clarification, the LLM project aims to locally develop an AI system to drive innovation, efficiency, and transparency across government sectors.
