ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interim information technology minister Umar Saif said on Tuesday his team had prepared the draft of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy and was currently in consultation with relevant stakeholders to finalize it by December.
Artificial intelligence, often abbreviated as AI, refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. These tasks include learning from data, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and solving problems. AI aims to create machines that can mimic human-like thinking and decision-making processes.
With this technology becoming more readily accessible, governments and private sectors across the world are beginning to reap its benefit while performing day-to-day functions. Pakistan’s planning ministry also acknowledged in April the 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.
“There are far reaching consequences of this policy,” the information minister told Arab News in a brief conversation. “We have put it for public consultation. There is a draft which helped us get public comments from outside as well as inside the country … We need to train people to develop AI skills according to the policy since they can be quite valuable.”
“My goal is to finalize and notify this AI policy by December,” he continued.
Syed Junaid Imam, the spokesperson for the information technology ministry, also informed Arab News the country’s official artificial intelligence would be finalized after consultation with all stakeholders before being sent to the federal cabinet for approval.
“It is based on four main points,” he said while sharing details. “Enabling AI through awareness and readiness, AI market enablement, building a progressive and trusted environment, and its transformation and evolution.”
A recent notification by the information ministry said it was “forming a policy committee that will lead the policy consultation process and finalize the draft,” adding that the members of the committee would have experts from industry, academia and the government.
“The National AI Policy is crafted to focus on the equitable distribution of opportunity and its responsible use, having the defining attributes such as evidence-based and target oriented, user-centric and forward-looking, objective and overarching,” according to the draft of the policy, a copy of which was seen by the Arab News.
The draft also outlined how Pakistan would collaborate with other countries to share best practices and expertise in the AI field.
“The policy proposed the establishment of an AI regulatory directorate that ensures the ethical and responsible use of AI,” it read.
The draft policy also addressed the potential job displacement that could result from the global proliferation of the new technology.
“AI can help to promote economic growth by encouraging investment in AI research and development which can lead to the creation of new jobs and industries, as well as improved productivity and efficiency,” it said.
It further stated that owing to the impact of artificial globally, the Pakistani government envisioned embracing it by appreciating human intelligence and stimulating a hybrid intelligence ecosystem for equitable, responsible and transparent AI use.
Minister says Pakistan to finalize first artificial intelligence policy by December
https://arab.news/m7qms
Minister says Pakistan to finalize first artificial intelligence policy by December
- The information technology minister says it is important to help people develop AI skills since they are quite valuable
- The government is setting up a policy committee of experts from IT industry and academia to finalize the draft policy
Thousands evacuate homes in Pakistan’s northwest ahead of security operation
- Families in the restive Tirah Valley will receive cash grants, monthly stipends during relocation
- The planned military offensive aims to clear militants from the volatile region near Afghan border
ISLAMABAD: Thousands of families have started evacuating the restive Tirah Valley in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber district, an official and a tribal leader said on Saturday, as the country’s security forces prepare for a targeted offensive against militants in the area.
Situated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Tirah Valley has long served as a sanctuary for militant groups affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), despite major operations in the mid-2010s.
Sporadic violence and militant entrenchment have nevertheless persisted, with security forces conducting intelligence-based operations in recent years to counter resurging elements.
A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Arab News that “evacuation from the Maidan area of Tirah Valley started five days ago in anticipation of a possible operation against terrorists.”
He added that the relocation process will continue until Jan. 25, affecting an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 families.
“Each displaced family is being provided with Rs250,000 [$893] in one-time financial assistance, along with a monthly stipend of Rs50,000 [$179] until they return home,” the official said, adding that the government will also provide Rs3 million ($10,714) for damage to houses and Rs1 million ($3,571) for commercial damages.
He said authorities are also supplying food items and arranging free transportation for the relocation of the area’s population.
The decision to move comes amid residents’ complaints of a volatile security environment.
Kamaluddin Khan, a member of a local tribal committee representing elders from the region, described the migration as “the last resort” under the circumstances.
“The people of Tirah have decided to relocate under compulsion and that too only once the government and administration accepted their demands,” he told Arab News over the phone, mainly referring to financial assistance and facilitation.
“The situation in Tirah has deteriorated to such an extent that not only humans, but even animals find it difficult to live here. We held several jirgas [tribal councils of elders], but they proved futile,” he added.
Khan described the situation in the area as “highly volatile.”
“The registration process for migration has begun, and people have started leaving the area,” he added. “According to our estimates, around 30,000 people will be affected by this displacement.”
The move follows a bloody year for Pakistan. Combat-related deaths surged by 73 percent in 2025, reaching 3,387 fatalities, according to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, a local think tank.
The organization said in its annual report that security forces suffered 664 deaths — the highest toll since 2011 — while 2,115 militants were killed during the same period.
Pakistan has grappled with a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan.
Islamabad blames the Afghan authorities for providing sanctuaries to militants it says use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the charges.
According to security analysts in the area, the upcoming operation will be more targeted than the previous ones.
Peshawar-based Mehmood Jan Babar maintained that local sentiment has shifted against the militants.
“People are willing to leave their homes themselves,” he told Arab News. “The families with links to militants are also facing public criticism, as the people of Tirah are exhausted by a prolonged law and order situation.”
“The upcoming operation is not likely to result in large-scale displacement,” he continued. “Based on information available to us, it will be a targeted operation.”
Officials said that the operation against militants is expected to conclude within two months, after which the rehabilitation and return process may begin in April.
