Pakistan Sets Bold AI Vision: 1 Million Developers and 1,000 Local AI Products by 2030
Pakistan has now set its sights on becoming a serious player in the global tech race. By the year 2030, the country wants to train at least one million artificial intelligence developers and launch 1,000 locally built AI products. This announcement was made during PASHA’s Policy Roundtable at the 26th ITCN Asia 2025 in Karachi, where industry leaders stressed that Pakistan cannot afford to remain just a user of foreign AI platforms.
Pakistan’s AI Policy and the Challenge of Data Protection
Speaking at the session, Mehwish Salman, Member of the AI Committee at PASHA, explained that Pakistan ranks as the fourth largest user of ChatGPT worldwide. While this shows how quickly AI is being adopted in the country, she also cautioned that relying only on global tools means Pakistanis are sharing personal and business data abroad.
“Imagine a local bank manager or a small business owner feeding sensitive details into an app hosted outside the country. That’s a real security risk,” she noted. To fix this, Pakistan must build its own AI-powered apps, tools, and platforms that keep data safe within national boundaries and at the same time offer Urdu and regional-language features that truly connect with local users.
Training AI Developers and Focusing on Local Industries
Adnan Zaidi, Co-Chair of PASHA’s AI Committee and also part of the government’s AI Task Force, said the real challenge is developing human capital. Training AI developers in Pakistan is not just about coding — it requires practical experience, internships, and joint research between universities and IT companies.
He added that instead of building generic tools, firms should target sectors like healthcare, education, logistics, manufacturing, and finance, where AI can solve real Pakistani problems. For example, an AI-based app that helps doctors in rural areas diagnose patients, or a tool that improves supply chains for small transport businesses.
WhatsApp ChannelSupport for AI Startups and Ethical Safeguards
Experts at the event called for the government to set up AI Innovation and Venture Funds to finance startups and research projects. They also discussed the ethical side of AI, particularly in the banking sector, where misuse could harm public trust. According to them, a National AI Policy that is regularly updated with expert input is essential to keep pace with global developments.
They further suggested a mix of measures: integrating AI into university curricula, offering scholarships for AI-focused courses, and running awareness campaigns to prepare the wider workforce.
Pakistan’s tech community believes that if these steps are taken seriously, the country has the potential to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence by 2030. For students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, this vision could translate into better jobs, stronger data protection, and homegrown apps designed specifically for Pakistani users.
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