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Pakistan’s new National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025 arrives with bold promises, but its rollout is already straining under the weight of the country’s digital shortcomings. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has cautioned that the policy’s core goals will remain out of reach without fast and secure Internet connectivity across the country.
The government has positioned the AI plan as a major leap toward a modern digital economy. It sets ambitious targets that include 3 million new jobs, annual training for 200,000 people, and new AI centers in major cities. However, analysts say these goals are tough to execute because Pakistan still struggles with basic network infrastructure and slow governance reforms.
PTA officials said the policy acknowledges a significant problem. Pakistan cannot scale AI systems without stable, high-speed internet and secure nationwide access. These two requirements have challenged the telecom sector for years. Rural regions still deal with weak signals, unreliable power, and slow broadband speeds. As a result, the idea of widespread AI adoption remains distant for many communities.
The policy introduces an AI Fund and aims to support emerging startups. Yet critics argue the government is again promoting advanced technology while avoiding urgent infrastructure work. They warn that the policy may follow the path of earlier digital strategies that started strong but delivered little impact on the ground.
As global AI development accelerates, Pakistan’s window to catch up is narrowing. Experts say the country does not lack ambition. Instead, it lacks the foundational systems needed to build and run modern AI services. Without rapid improvements to networks and cybersecurity, Pakistan’s AI dreams risk turning into another missed opportunity.
