National AI Policy - Bold Vision, Fragile Foundations
The Federal Cabinet’s formal approval of the long-awaited National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025 is a defining moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda. Framed as a vehicle to create a thriving AI ecosystem, the policy sets out measure
The Federal Cabinet’s formal approval of the long-awaited National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025 is a defining moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda. Framed as a vehicle to create a thriving AI ecosystem, the policy sets out measures for integrating AI into public governance, economic growth, and service delivery.
Its headline features a national-level AI Venture Fund to finance innovation, scholarships and training programs to nurture talent, and enhanced cybersecurity provisions to secure digital systems reflect the state’s desire to position Pakistan as a competitive player in the AI-driven global economy.
These steps are undeniably ambitious. The vision is bold, the intent clear; AI should be a catalyst for efficiency, productivity, and modernization across sectors. Yet, ambition without a solid governance anchor is a recipe for fragility. For all its promise, the policy contains structural weaknesses and gaps that, if left unaddressed, will undermine its effectiveness and credibility both at home and internationally.
One of the most serious gaps is the absence of a clear governance framework. The policy speaks broadly about AI development and deployment, but it stops short of defining the institutional architecture needed to regulate and oversee AI. There is no clarity on which authority will lead AI governance, how responsibilities will be divided between ministries, or how coordination will be ensured between federal and provincial levels.
In a domain as complex and fast-evolving as AI, such ambiguity is dangerous – it risks creating fragmented enforcement, conflicting rules, and regulatory paralysis. Equally troubling is the lack of detailed ethical and human rights safeguards. While the policy acknowledges “Ethical AI” as a principle, it does not translate this into enforceable standards, measurable accountability mechanisms, or alignment with internationally recognized frameworks like ISO/IEC 42001 or UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
Without these, Pakistan risks opening the door to biased algorithms, opaque decision-making, and AI systems that can unintentionally discriminate or harm, particularly in sensitive sectors like policing, healthcare, and welfare services. The policy also neglects structured risk management. There is no requirement for mandatory risk assessments, algorithmic impact analyses, or special controls for high-risk AI applications.
Data governance, the bedrock of trustworthy AI, is also missing in action. The policy sidesteps Pakistan’s long-delayed Personal Data Protection Bill and offers no substantive framework for obtaining informed consent, ensuring data minimization, guaranteeing quality, or securing data against breaches. Without these protections, citizens’ personal information could be misused or mishandled, eroding public trust and leaving the AI ecosystem vulnerable to abuse.
Implementation is another weak spot. The policy lacks a time-bound, budgeted roadmap, specific performance indicators, and mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation. There is no commitment to pilot projects or regulatory sandboxes that could allow controlled testing of AI innovations before large-scale deployment. Instead, the emphasis tilts heavily towards boosting technical capacity through research, skilling programs, and innovation support while underplaying the importance of institutional capacity building, public engagement, and robust oversight.
Pakistan’s AI governance vision also appears insular in an increasingly interconnected global AI landscape. The policy does not set out protocols for engaging with international AI governance initiatives, such as the OECD AI Principles or regional partnerships, which are vital for interoperability, credibility, and cross-border cooperation. Without alignment to global norms, Pakistan risks technological isolation and reduced trust from international partners and investors.
If the government is to ensure that the National AI Policy 2025 achieves its promise without triggering new risks, several urgent steps must follow. First, the Personal Data Protection Bill must be passed and operationalized immediately, giving Pakistan the legal backbone to protect privacy and govern data responsibly. Second, a dedicated AI regulatory authority should be established, empowered to issue binding sector-specific rules, enforce compliance, and conduct independent ethics audits. Third, the policy must be supplemented with a comprehensive governance framework that defines roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms across all tiers of government.
Additionally, the policy should mandate risk assessments, impact analyses, and special licensing for high-risk AI applications, particularly in sectors where human rights and public safety are at stake. Pilot programs and regulatory sandboxes should be launched to safely experiment with AI solutions before scaling them nationwide. Ethical guidelines must be aligned with global standards, adapted to local realities, and enforced through transparent accountability structures.
Finally, the government must embed public engagement into the governance process. Citizens, civil society, academia, and the private sector should have institutionalized channels to contribute to AI policymaking and oversight. Building legitimacy in AI governance requires that the public not only benefits from AI but also has a say in how it is used.
The approval of the National AI Policy 2025 is an important milestone, but it is not the destination – it is the starting point of a long, complex journey. Without immediate steps to fill its governance gaps, operationalize its ethical commitments, and anchor its ambitions in legal, institutional, and participatory safeguards, Pakistan risks advancing technology at the expense of trust, rights, and social stability. In the race to digitize, it is not enough to move fast; the country must move wisely, with guardrails strong enough to protect both its people and its future.