Published: 11:54 AM, 18 September 2026
Pakistan’s AI mirage: Only big promises but weak execution while neighbours deliver
The Pakistan government joined the bandwagon as Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a topic of daily conversation, and made huge promises to train one million people and produce 10,000 trainers under the National AI Policy. But in reality, it is just an illusion, rather than a credible roadmap. It is heavy on targets and aspirations but poor on the mechanisms, resources and efforts needed to achieve them. In short, the Pakistan government has taken people for a glorious ride. It is a mirage, fooling people of Pakistan, much like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Interestingly, Pakistan approved the National AI Policy in July 2025. However, it failed to establish the crucial AI Council, an apex body responsible for executing the plan, for six months. The reason: the government could not find enough AI experts, while the bureaucrats crowded the proposed body. Later, Islamabad decided to import experts from different countries as Pakistan lacked the required AI talent. The biggest problem Pakistan faces is the lack of data that AI models would need as the public sector mainly runs on paper, with fragmented records and inconsistent formats. So Pakistan’s AI run may grind to halt as soon as it starts in the absence of clean, interoperable data.
No wonder, Pakistan lags behind its South Asia peers, not just India but Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India has actually integrated AI into the actual governance system, and its AI ecosystem has transcended beyond mere implementation. Sri Lanka is actually working on an AI governance framework by taking steps to institutionalise its AI programmes with a government execution agency and a proposed digital economy authority. So its AI initiative has substance, unlike AI governance as a loose policy exercise by Pakistan.
Bangladesh is in the process of finalising its AI policy, and yet is still in a better position than Pakistan. Why? Its draft policy is subjected to a visible consultation and assessment process. It is already using AI in healthcare, and measuring outcomes by adopting AI technologies for local needs, such as AI-powered medical imaging for diabetic-retinopathy screening and AI-driven digital public services. So Bangladesh is building its AI future through experimentation and learning. On the other hand, Pakistan began with big announcements, and now struggles to execute the plan.
What has Pakistan achieved so far? Pakistani politicians and bureaucrats have nothing to say, so they say they are working on AI awareness and readiness. It is a laughable step given that most of the population is already well-aware and using AI features on their smartphones. It is one of the six pillars of the AI mega plan. On the other hand, there is no discussion or decision in relation to the five pillars which are pivotal for the success of the AI plan. They are building an AI innovation ecosystem, ensuring the security of AI assets, driving sectoral transformation, developing the technical infrastructure needed for AI, and fostering international partnerships. All are conspicuous by their absence.
When the government has set a gigantic target of training one million people to meaningful professional standards, one must be thinking about how it is going to do that. But the policy or government has no answers about institutions, curriculum, certification, funding and investment, employment prospects and job availability. There are no convincing or reliable answers to those questions even though the AI policy announcement made big headlines.
There is a wide gap between what is promised in the policy and execution. What makes it evident is the lack of clarity about the institutional capacity, funding and delivery mechanisms, even six months after policy approval. The laidback approach and lack of commitment from the provincial governments may turn the much-talked about AI blueprint obsolete. Yet, the Islamabad government did not shy away from making another tall promise. Recently, prime minister Shehbaz Sharif announced USD 20 million venture fund for AI and robotics. But there is no clarity about how the funds will be mobilised and released.
There are local concerns also. Regular and prolonged power outages are going to be a big headache for the adoption of the AI ecosystem as the AI companies and data centres would require continuous electricity. Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has already expressed concerns over the unreliable electricity supplies hurting businesses and industrial activity. Moreover, half of the provinces in Pakistan frequently face internet shutdowns over security concerns and public movements. So the problem is deeper than it appears. Pakistan will have to solve basic institutional prerequisites before it attempts to build an advanced AI ecosystem.
Interestingly, Pakistan approved the National AI Policy in July 2025. However, it failed to establish the crucial AI Council, an apex body responsible for executing the plan, for six months. The reason: the government could not find enough AI experts, while the bureaucrats crowded the proposed body. Later, Islamabad decided to import experts from different countries as Pakistan lacked the required AI talent. The biggest problem Pakistan faces is the lack of data that AI models would need as the public sector mainly runs on paper, with fragmented records and inconsistent formats. So Pakistan’s AI run may grind to halt as soon as it starts in the absence of clean, interoperable data.
No wonder, Pakistan lags behind its South Asia peers, not just India but Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India has actually integrated AI into the actual governance system, and its AI ecosystem has transcended beyond mere implementation. Sri Lanka is actually working on an AI governance framework by taking steps to institutionalise its AI programmes with a government execution agency and a proposed digital economy authority. So its AI initiative has substance, unlike AI governance as a loose policy exercise by Pakistan.
Bangladesh is in the process of finalising its AI policy, and yet is still in a better position than Pakistan. Why? Its draft policy is subjected to a visible consultation and assessment process. It is already using AI in healthcare, and measuring outcomes by adopting AI technologies for local needs, such as AI-powered medical imaging for diabetic-retinopathy screening and AI-driven digital public services. So Bangladesh is building its AI future through experimentation and learning. On the other hand, Pakistan began with big announcements, and now struggles to execute the plan.
What has Pakistan achieved so far? Pakistani politicians and bureaucrats have nothing to say, so they say they are working on AI awareness and readiness. It is a laughable step given that most of the population is already well-aware and using AI features on their smartphones. It is one of the six pillars of the AI mega plan. On the other hand, there is no discussion or decision in relation to the five pillars which are pivotal for the success of the AI plan. They are building an AI innovation ecosystem, ensuring the security of AI assets, driving sectoral transformation, developing the technical infrastructure needed for AI, and fostering international partnerships. All are conspicuous by their absence.
When the government has set a gigantic target of training one million people to meaningful professional standards, one must be thinking about how it is going to do that. But the policy or government has no answers about institutions, curriculum, certification, funding and investment, employment prospects and job availability. There are no convincing or reliable answers to those questions even though the AI policy announcement made big headlines.
There is a wide gap between what is promised in the policy and execution. What makes it evident is the lack of clarity about the institutional capacity, funding and delivery mechanisms, even six months after policy approval. The laidback approach and lack of commitment from the provincial governments may turn the much-talked about AI blueprint obsolete. Yet, the Islamabad government did not shy away from making another tall promise. Recently, prime minister Shehbaz Sharif announced USD 20 million venture fund for AI and robotics. But there is no clarity about how the funds will be mobilised and released.
There are local concerns also. Regular and prolonged power outages are going to be a big headache for the adoption of the AI ecosystem as the AI companies and data centres would require continuous electricity. Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has already expressed concerns over the unreliable electricity supplies hurting businesses and industrial activity. Moreover, half of the provinces in Pakistan frequently face internet shutdowns over security concerns and public movements. So the problem is deeper than it appears. Pakistan will have to solve basic institutional prerequisites before it attempts to build an advanced AI ecosystem.
>> Source: European Times
