Artificial Intelligence law at Pakistan
Pakistan is actively developing a legal and regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI) through its Draft National AI Policy and the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act, 2024. These initiatives aim to foster responsible AI adoption, promote innovation, and address ethical considerations.(PhoneWorld, International Bar Association)
🇵🇰 Pakistan's AI Policy Framework
The Draft National AI Policy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), outlines a comprehensive strategy structured around five key pillars:(PhoneWorld)
Market Enablement: Focuses on commercializing AI research and development (R&D), promoting digital transformation, and establishing open-source data standards.(NetMag Pakistan)
Awareness & Readiness: Aims to develop AI skills, provide funding for AI projects, and integrate digital education across the country.(NetMag Pakistan)
Building a Trusted Environment: Emphasizes AI governance, ethical principles, and the establishment of legal frameworks to ensure responsible AI usage.(NetMag Pakistan)
Transformation & Evolution: Outlines a roadmap for AI adoption in various sectors, including public-private partnerships and AI-driven industries.(NetMag Pakistan)
International Collaboration & Cooperation: Encourages participation in global AI forums, bilateral agreements, and alignment with international AI standards.
The policy also proposes the creation of a National AI Fund to support AI R&D and innovation. However, as of early 2025, the policy remains in draft form and has not yet been finalized. Stakeholder consultations are ongoing, and the MoITT has established an AI Policy Committee comprising experts from industry, academia, civil society, and government to guide the finalization process. (Business Recorder)
⚖️ Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act, 2024
Complementing the draft policy, the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act, 2024 seeks to establish a legal framework for AI in Pakistan. The proposed act addresses various aspects, including data protection, accountability, and ethical standards for AI deployment. It aims to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly and align with national priorities. (PhoneWorld)
🧑💻 National AI Task Force
To provide strategic direction for AI adoption, Pakistan established the National AI Task Force in 2023. Comprising experts from academia, industry, and government, the task force is developing a 10-year roadmap for integrating AI into critical sectors. Its focus includes addressing challenges such as skill shortages, ethical dilemmas, and infrastructural gaps while promoting AI-driven innovation. (PhoneWorld)
🧭 Challenges and Considerations
Despite these initiatives, several challenges remain:
Infrastructure and Funding: Pakistan lacks dedicated AI funding mechanisms beyond academic grants and pilot projects. Countries like the US and China have allocated billions of dollars to AI development, highlighting the need for substantial investment. (NetMag Pakistan)
Skills Gap: The country faces a shortage of AI-trained professionals due to outdated STEM education systems, impacting the development of a skilled workforce. (NetMag Pakistan)
Regulatory and Ethical Concerns: The absence of comprehensive data protection laws and ethical AI frameworks poses challenges for responsible AI usage. There are also concerns about the potential impact of proposed legislation on Pakistan’s digital economy. (PhoneWorld)
Implementation and Accountability: Critics argue that the policy's goals lack clear outcome metrics, raising concerns about accountability and the effective realization of AI's potential. (The Friday Times)
✅ Key Takeaways
Strategic Vision: Pakistan's AI policy framework outlines a comprehensive strategy for AI adoption, focusing on market enablement, awareness, ethical governance, sectoral transformation, and international collaboration.(NetMag Pakistan)
Legislative Efforts: The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act, 2024, aims to establish a legal foundation for AI, addressing data protection and ethical standards.(PhoneWorld)
Institutional Support: The National AI Task Force provides strategic direction for AI integration into critical sectors.(PhoneWorld)
Ongoing Challenges: Infrastructure limitations, skills gaps, regulatory concerns, and implementation challenges need to be addressed to realize the full potential of AI in Pakistan.
In summary, while Pakistan has laid the groundwork for AI development through its draft policy and legislative initiatives, addressing the existing challenges will be crucial for fostering a responsible and thriving AI ecosystem.
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