Pakistan has launched a new initiative to equip senior government officials with artificial intelligence (AI) skills, as the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT), Ignite, and Alibaba Cloud organised a specialised training session at the National Incubation Center (NIC) Islamabad.
The programme aims to help public sector leaders use AI for better decision-making, improved workflows, and more efficient government services.
The training session, titled “AI for Public Sector Leaders,” brought together federal secretaries, directors general, and senior officials involved in policymaking, public service delivery, digital transformation, and technology procurement.
Through expert-led discussions, live demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, participants explored practical AI applications, including identifying suitable use cases, improving institutional processes, and developing technology-based solutions for real-world challenges.
The session also highlighted key areas related to responsible AI adoption, including data privacy, cybersecurity, accuracy, data sovereignty, and the importance of human oversight in AI-powered systems.
The initiative is part of a broader AI capacity-building programme under the Government of Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda, aimed at strengthening technological capabilities across public institutions.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has been promoting AI awareness and encouraging collaboration between government, industry, and innovation sectors to support responsible technology adoption.
Speaking at the event, Special Secretary IT and Telecommunication Syed Muhammad Ammar Naqvi said the training was a practical step toward building a digitally empowered Pakistan.
He said engaging senior officials with AI tools would help ensure that digital transformation policies are developed by leaders who understand both the potential benefits and challenges associated with artificial intelligence.
Participants received practical exposure to Alibaba Cloud’s AI ecosystem, including Qoder and QoderWork. They explored how AI can support government functions through applications such as document summarisation, citizen response services, automated briefing preparation, and solutions based on official government data.
Ignite Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Bilal Abbasi said Pakistan has strong potential to accelerate AI adoption due to increasing partnerships between academia, industry, and global technology companies.
He added that the willingness of government officials to engage with emerging technologies would play an important role in advancing Pakistan’s AI ecosystem.
The training marks an early step toward integrating artificial intelligence into public sector operations while ensuring secure, responsible, and effective use of emerging technologies.
