Pakistan poised to be first nation to sign Digital and AI Compact

Islamabad – Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has departed for South Korea on an official trip that will see her take part in the Global AI and Digital Summit. At the summit she will join a ministerial meeting dedicated to artificial intelligence and digital inclusion in Pakistan, and is expected to present the country’s roadmap for the future during a special session. Pakistan aims to become the inaugural signatory of the Digital and AI Compact.

During her stay the minister is also slated to meet with a vice president of Google to discuss issues related to digital technology and artificial intelligence, as well as hold bilateral talks with a vice president of the World Bank. In addition, she will outline Pakistan’s views on expanding internet access and delivering digital services to the public.

Earlier, Minister Fatima highlighted that Pakistan’s AI policy had been drafted comprehensively after extensive consultations. Speaking at an event in Islamabad, she said the government’s priority now is to implement and enforce the policy, adding that embracing the technology is essential for the country’s progress and development. She noted that while Pakistan does not yet have a dedicated AI regulatory framework, several initiatives aim to address the challenges posed by AI. These include the National Cyber Security Policy of 2021, the Pakistan Cloud First Policy of 2022, the CERT Rules of 2023, and sector‑specific regulations such as the Critical Telecom Data and Infrastructure Security Regulation.