Pakistan is considering introducing specific legislation to address crimes involving artificial intelligence (AI), Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said. Speaking to Arab News on Thursday, Tarar said existing cybercrime provisions and general criminal laws cover some AI-assisted offenses, but additional legal measures may be needed to address emerging challenges.
The development follows investigations by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) into two alleged AI-assisted criminal plots after alerts from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In one case, a 17-year-old student was arrested in Bahawalpur over an alleged plot to poison his father. Investigators are also examining a separate case involving another teenager accused of planning an attack against someone who had insulted his father. The allegations remain subject to the legal process.
Tarar said the government was reviewing whether existing laws were sufficient to deal with crimes involving AI. He noted that legislation must evolve alongside technological developments and that relevant provisions could be introduced if gaps were identified.
However, experts remain divided over the need for separate AI-specific laws. Usama Khilji, director of digital rights organization Bolo Bhi, argued that existing laws covering conspiracy and attempted murder could address many such offenses, while emphasizing the need for stronger safeguards by AI companies.
Meanwhile, High Court advocate Minahil Ali said Pakistan needed clearer and more enforceable safeguards to address emerging risks associated with advanced AI systems. She called for updates to relevant criminal laws, specialized cyber-forensics training for investigators, and stronger procedures for establishing criminal intent.
Experts also stressed the importance of distinguishing legitimate AI use from activities that indicate a genuine intention to commit a crime. They said investigations should rely on corroborating evidence rather than isolated AI chat records or automated safety alerts alone.
The government’s review comes as authorities assess how existing laws can be applied to AI-related offenses and whether additional legislation is required to address new forms of technology-assisted criminal activity.
