ISLAMABAD: The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pakistan’s public sector will require time, institutional reform, and capacity building, experts said at a workshop titled “AI Shaping Pakistan’s Digital Future”.
Speaking at the session, industry specialists noted that while AI offers significant opportunities to improve governance and service delivery, its integration into the civil bureaucracy will not be immediate.
It was highlighted that digital contributions account for more than 50 percent of GDP in China, whereas the share remains very low in Pakistan, underscoring the need for adoption across all sectors.
The session was held for media professionals and digital activists at the head office of Huawei Pakistan, which also serves as a global back office for Huawei.
Strong local cloud presence essential as data sovereignty, AI sovereignty fast becoming matters of national security, says Huawei official
Experts argued that AI tools could help streamline public services, support evidence-based decision-making, and reduce delays in administrative processes.
Kashif Iqbal, a technical expert at Huawei, said Pakistan has a strong IT workforce, noting that Pakistanis form the second-largest group of employees at Huawei after Chinese nationals.
More than 20,000 students participate annually in global competitions organised by Huawei, and Pakistani participants have consistently secured positions among the top three, outperforming competitors from around the world.
Although basic infrastructure already exists in Pakistan, including in the public sector, the digitisation of data is essential for AI systems to function effectively.
“AI is the right direction for transforming the public sector, but it will take time for senior executives and government officials to fully understand and effectively use these technologies,” said Ahmed Bilal Masood, CEO of AI and Cloud Business at Huawei Pakistan.
He highlighted that Huawei is a key supplier of AI equipment used in establishing cloud services and ICT solutions in Pakistan.
“Data sovereignty and AI sovereignty are becoming matters of national security globally, which is why a strong local cloud presence is essential,” Mr Masood said, adding that despite the challenges, AI is a critical driver for reforming Pakistan’s public administration. Embracing artificial intelligence, he said, could help modernise outdated systems and improve public service delivery.
“AI is being adopted in all fields, from traffic management to enhancing the performance of hospitals and educational institutions.” However, he cautioned that successful implementation would depend on the enactment and enforcement of cyber laws, including data protection legislation, as technology alone cannot drive change.
Faisal Ameer Malik, Huawei’s Chief Technology Officer for the Middle East and Central Asia region, said the concept of AI was introduced in 1956, with a major breakthrough occurring in 2011 by Google. However, the concept gained widespread prominence during and after the Covid era.
He noted that between 2012 and 2022, AI was largely applied to small data models, but due to widespread digitalisation, current AI systems are based on large data models.
He added that around 170 countries have released national digital strategies, while 60 countries have elevated AI to the level of a national strategy. Pakistan has already approved its National AI Policy in 2025.
