Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive by 2030 After Bold PM Pledge 2X Growth Up
Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive A Major Step Toward a Smarter Future
Pakistan has finally shifted gears toward modern technology in a way that feels serious and promising. During the opening ceremony of Indus AI Week 2026 in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive by 2030. This isn’t just another big number thrown into the air. It’s a full plan aimed at building a strong foundation for artificial intelligence in the country.
Indus AI Week, held from February 9 to 15, is described as a national platform where policy, innovation, and investment meet. The event has already grabbed attention, and the prime minister’s announcement added even more weight to it. According to him, Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive to create a complete AI ecosystem that will help in education, technology, and economic growth.
AI in Schools Across Pakistan
One of the biggest parts of the plan is the introduction of AI curriculum in schools. PM Shehbaz shared that AI education will not remain limited to federal schools. It will be taught in all schools of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and even remote areas of Balochistan. This shows that Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive not only for major cities, but for the entire country.
He said the goal is to prepare the youth for a digital future, especially since they make up nearly 60 percent of Pakistan’s population. If students in far-flung villages get access to the same modern knowledge, the gap between urban and rural education will start to shrink.
1,000 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships
Another highlight of the plan is the announcement of 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI. These scholarships will be offered to students all over Pakistan by 2030. The idea is to develop a world-class research environment and build a strong group of skilled researchers. This also supports the larger mission through which Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive to reshape its scientific and technological abilities.
Training One Million Non-IT Professionals
Artificial intelligence isn’t only for software engineers and developers. The prime minister said the government will launch a countrywide programme to train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills. These people may be teachers, shopkeepers, freelancers, office workers, or entrepreneurs. The training will help them increase their productivity and income.
This step shows how Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive to uplift the economy from the bottom up. When one million people adopt AI skills, the impact will spread across homes, small businesses, and every major job sector.
Areas of Focus: Agriculture, Minerals, and Youth Empowerment
The prime minister highlighted that agriculture and mines and minerals will be among the first benefits of AI. However, things slowed down after the government changed the structure of the AI Council. Provinces also did not respond quickly.
Right now, the only part of the policy that is moving forward is “Awareness and Readiness.” Indus AI Week is being presented as the first big step in this direction. Still, if Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive with full commitment, the pace will have to increase. Without proper follow-through, policies remain nothing more than documents.
A Game-Changer for Pakistan
PM Shehbaz called Indus AI Week a “game-changer” and said that Pakistan is ready to partner with friendly countries in the AI journey. These initiatives helped reduce corruption and made services simpler.
Now, the country is preparing to move from basic IT to advanced AI. According to the prime minister, Pakistan needs to build on past lessons and step into the future with confidence. This is exactly why Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive that can reshape the country’s digital identity.
Digitisation of FBR and Other Departments
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has also undergone major digital transformation. According to the prime minister, the department is almost fully digitised now. As Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive, it is expected that other departments will also follow the same path, making public services faster and more transparent.
Indus AI Week and Global Partnerships
Indus AI Week has brought experts, investors, and policymakers together under one roof. The government wants to follow a shared pathway with partner countries who are advanced in AI research. This makes sense. No country develops AI in isolation. Pakistan will need international collaboration to learn smarter methods, secure funding, and build strong AI research hubs.
This is why the message that Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive is being repeated so strongly. The government wants the world to notice its seriousness and support its efforts.
Final Thoughts
This is a turning point. The decision shows that the government finally understands the importance of artificial intelligence. If these plans are implemented with honesty and consistency, Pakistan can open doors to a new era of digital growth. The idea that Pakistan Plans $1bn AI Drive is more than a headline. If the promises match the ground reality, the next decade could be one of the most productive in Pakistan’s history.
