Government plans inclusion of international experts in National AI Council

The federal government has decided to include international artificial intelligence experts in the proposed National AI Council to oversee implementation of Pakistan’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy, aiming to reduce bureaucratic dominance and strengthen execution capacity, The Express Tribune reported, citing official sources.

Sources said the decision to broaden the council’s composition is a key reason behind delays in implementing the AI policy, which was approved by the federal cabinet in July 2025. The government has sought additional input from provincial governments over the past month, further slowing the rollout.

The delay has also stalled notification of the National AI Council, a central body envisioned to steer coordination, regulation, and strategic direction of artificial intelligence in Pakistan. Despite being a core pillar of the policy framework, the council has yet to be formally constituted.

Officials said the proposed council is expected to include representation from major federal ministries and regulators, including Ministry of IT and Telecom, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Federal Education, along with heads of Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

The council is expected to play a central role in aligning AI development with national priorities, regulating emerging technologies, and coordinating between federal and provincial stakeholders. Officials said the revised structure will include both local and international AI specialists to provide technical depth and global perspective.

Meanwhile, experts have flagged structural weaknesses in Pakistan’s AI ecosystem, particularly the shortage of high-performance computing data centres required for advanced AI research and large-scale model development. Currently, only three universities are reported to have functional HPC facilities.

While telecom operators maintain data centres, officials noted these are primarily designed for conventional IT and network operations and are not suitable for intensive AI workloads. Private-sector interest in AI-focused data centre investment is growing, but uncertainty over policy direction and regulation has slowed progress.

Analysts warn that without timely institutional decisions, clearer regulatory frameworks, and investment in infrastructure, Pakistan risks falling further behind in global AI development, affecting broader digital and economic goals.