Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the plan while speaking at the opening of Indus AI Week 2026. The event was attended by federal ministers and foreign delegations, including guests from Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
He said the government is fully ready to enter the next phase of global technology. “The Government of Pakistan is committed to investing $1 billion in AI by 2030, which will go a long way in building an AI ecosystem in our country,” he said.
The prime minister announced that artificial intelligence will be added to the curriculum of all federally run schools. The same program will cover institutions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and remote areas of Balochistan. The aim is to prepare students for leadership roles in the digital economy.
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He also revealed plans to award 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in artificial intelligence by 2030. These scholarships will help create world-class researchers and strengthen national research centers.
To widen the impact, a nationwide training program will teach AI skills to one million non-IT professionals. This, he said, will help people improve their productivity and incomes.
PM Shehbaz said artificial intelligence will be used mainly in agriculture, mines and minerals, and youth development. He noted that Pakistan has a population of about 240 million, with nearly 60% being young people who need modern skills to compete globally.
Calling the initiative a turning point, he said the program would be a “game changer” through cooperation with friendly countries.
He recalled earlier reforms under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, including education, health, and revenue changes. He mentioned the laptop distribution scheme, under which around half a million laptops were given to students, and the introduction of e-libraries in remote areas.
The prime minister also highlighted digital reforms such as e-stamp papers, the Punjab Land Digitization Plan with World Bank support, the Safe City project in Lahore, and the establishment of the country’s first IT University.
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Addressing concerns in the IT sector, he said startups and professionals should not fear artificial intelligence. He assured that the government program would help turn IT workers into AI experts.
He added that AI will improve farm output, industry, trade, women’s innovation, and overall economic efficiency. He also said Pakistan will be a reliable partner for other countries in the AI field.
PM Shehbaz pointed to progress in digitizing the Federal Board of Revenue and using technology to curb smuggling and recover lost revenues.
In his closing remarks, he said challenges lie ahead, but Pakistan’s determination remains strong, and the country will continue moving forward to claim its rightful place in the world.
