Is Pakistan Getting Ready For AI Revolution?

by Riaz Haq

Oct 6, 2024

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has taken the world by a storm. It has drawn the attention of academia, businesses and governments around the world.  This technology is expected to transform almost every sector from business and commerce to government, industries and defense. Are Pakistanis aware of its potential?  Is Pakistan getting ready for what is being described as the "AI Revolution"? Let's examine the answers to these questions. 

AI awareness is rising among Pakistan’s general public. The country ranks third with 76% of people being aware of ChatGPT, according to Stanford University’s AI Index Report 2024 covering a survey of 31 countries, including the United States, Europe and East Asia.  India (82%), Kenya (81%), Indonesia (76%), and Pakistan (76%) have the highest awareness rates in the world.  Brazil and Canada have 64% awareness, UK and Japan 61%, China, Germany and France 60% and the US 55%. Poland reported the lowest awareness, at 43%. Globally, 17% of users utilize it daily, 36% weekly, and 16% monthly. India (36%), Pakistan (28%), and Kenya(27%) report the highest levels of daily usage. 

Pakistan is among the top 4 countries for enrollment in Coursera online GenAI courses, according to Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of Coursera. India, Egypt, Pakistan, and Brazil, make up more than half (52%) of GenAI enrollments on Coursera. It offers more than 4,600 courses and 55 Professional Certificates in up to 21 popular languages, including Arabic, Hindi, and Spanish.  Coursera, a global online education platform, was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. 

Pakistan's HEC (Higher Education Commission) has established a partnership with Coursera to give access to online quality education in Pakistan.  As a result, more than 200 universities have gained access to Coursera’s library of courses.  Over 267,000 courses have been completed with students logging over 1.4 million learning hours. More than 45,000 learners have achieved deep-skills specialized certifications from internationally recognized institutions, the most popular specializations being Communication, Data Analysis, and Leadership and Management, according to Coursera. 

Ashar Aziz Foundation, created and funded by Pakistani-American technology entrepreneur Ashar Aziz, has sponsored Advanced AI Bootcamps at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad.  The bootcamp series not only provides theoretical knowledge but also emphasizes practical, project-based learning, according to NUST. 

The first AI bootcamp, which focused on Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), was successfully completed at NUST in November 2023. The second bootcamp provided participants with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in the development and application of LLMs (Large Language Models). Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology (GIKI) also joined this initiative in 2024, conducting its own DNN-focused bootcamp. Participants have the opportunity to work with advanced technologies, including access to a 10xH100 NVIDIA GPU AI supercomputer, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle real-world challenges in AI. As part of its ongoing efforts, NUST plans to partner with additional universities across Pakistan to further scale this initiative, ensuring that more students have access to high-quality AI training, according to NUST. 

Smaller towns in Pakistan are also setting up AI programs with the help of Pakistani-Americans. For example, Stanford educated AI expert Shoaib Lari and Silicon Valley based technology executive Jalil Shaikh have helped Islamia University Bahawalpur start an AI program. Jalil Shaikh is now working with US-based companies to place the first group of graduates from this program. 

STEM education underlies Artificial Intelligence. Pakistan stands 4th in the world with 642,562 students enrolled in STEM courses– behind Nigeria (675,371), the US (4,639,771) and India (6,000,967), according to Coursera's Global Skills Report 2023. My own estimate based on HEC data is that STEM enrollment in Pakistan exceeds one million. 

The Pakistan government has released its National AI Policy Draft for comments. It focuses on how AI can help the country promote its national competitiveness and improve the lives of its citizens by outlining a wide range of developmental initiatives necessary for awareness and adoption of AI, reimagining the transparent and fair use of personal data using AI, and stimulating innovation through industry-academia collaborations and investments in AI-led initiatives. The Pakistan government has set up a National Center for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). NCAI has created a a consortium model consisting of 6 public sector universities with 9 specialized research centers spread across Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar. 

Pakistan has also seen several private-sector led initiatives to create greater awareness of AI. For instance, Karachi.AI is recognized as a premier community for Applied AI practitioners. Established in 2017, the community proudly hosts over 10,000 members representing various domains. Its mission revolves around three central pillars: raising awareness, promoting engagement, and driving execution. Karachi. AI hosts regular meetups in Karachi, which are also live streamed on its YouTube channel, along with other educational content about AI.  

In addition to skilled human capital, the GenAI apps require a lot of digital public infrastructure, powerful computers and large data centers to securely store and rapidly access vast amounts of data. A number of private investors are jumping in to build data centers in Pakistan. Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) is planning to develop data centers across the country as part of an expansion into digital infrastructure.  Chakwal Spinning Mills Limited, has recently said it was pivoting to develop data centers.

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  • Riaz Haq

    Pakistani Developer Builds First AI Voice Tool for Sindhi Users


    https://propakistani.pk/2025/04/07/pakistani-developer-builds-first...


    A young Pakistani developer has successfully managed to create the first-ever AI tool to assist with the Sindhi language. These tools enable text-to-speech (TTS) and speech-to-text (SST) in Sindhi for the first time.

    The 23-year-old software developer from Hyderabad, Fahad Maqsood Qazi, began work last year on an AI-based dubbing system for his company, Flis Technologies. During development, he realized there were no basic text-to-speech (TTS) or speech-to-text (STT) tools for Sindhi—a language spoken by nearly 40 million people worldwide.

    Starting from Scratch
    In August 2023, Qazi began gathering and transcribing hours of Sindhi audio from various sources, including YouTube videos, audiobooks, and news reports, to build a training dataset. Around the same time, he came across Mozilla’s Common Voice project, where Google employee Asad Memon had added Sindhi support.

    Qazi merged that data with his own and began training AI models. By January 2024, he had built initial working versions of Sindhi TTS and STT systems. He also developed a tokenizer, a necessary tool for processing language in machine learning models, since one was not previously available for Sindhi.

    Supporting Language Access
    Sindhi is not formally taught in many countries where Sindhi-speaking communities live, which can result in younger generations being less familiar with the language. Qazi hopes his tools will make it easier for people to read, write, and speak Sindhi through digital platforms.

    Qazi told Arab News:

    My goal is to help them stay connected to it through speech and text tools. In many diaspora communities, younger Sindhis grow up without learning to read or write in their language.

    In March, he uploaded his models to HuggingFace, which is essentially the GitHub for AI models, allowing developers and researchers access to his work.

    Everyday Use and Accessibility
    Qazi’s models could help Sindhi speakers send messages using speech input or listen to written text read aloud in Sindhi. These tools may also assist older adults and people with limited formal education in using the language in everyday communication.

    Qazi said:

    A person who can’t read Sindhi could use the TTS model to hear written stories. Or someone who never learned to write could still search for information and get answers by speaking.



    Long-Term Potential
    Qazi believes that the addition of Sindhi to tools like TTS and STT is necessary for the language to remain relevant in digital communication and technology.

    “Without access to tools like these, Sindhi could be excluded from digital spaces,” he said. “Now it can be part of systems like voice interfaces, educational resources, and translation tools.”

    By addressing a basic gap in language technology, Qazi’s work gives others a foundation to build further tools for Sindhi users, ensuring better access and usability in an increasingly digital world.

    Apr 10

  • Riaz Haq

    UNDP highlights inclusive growth potential of Pakistan’s AI, digital identity strategy | Biometric Update

    https://www.biometricupdate.com/202504/undp-highlights-inclusive-gr...

    Pakistan is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its digital identity infrastructure to improve service delivery and security. According to UNDP’s Development Advocate Pakistan 2025, NADRA utilizes AI to improve identity verification processes, prevent fraud, decrease manual errors, and boost trust in digital systems. These activities contribute to broader objectives such as digital inclusion and secure access to financial and governmental services. The application of artificial intelligence in identity systems emphasizes Pakistan’s commitment to creating a more efficient and inclusive digital landscape.

    The publication from UNDP highlights that Pakistan’s digital transformation strategy relies on artificial intelligence to modernize governmental services and infrastructure. AI is being used to streamline government processes, enable data-driven policymaking, and improve citizen-centric services, particularly in Punjab’s urban governance and public safety programs. AI helps to improve transparency, responsiveness, and inclusive governance by automating routine processes and increasing real-time decision-making. This aligns with Pakistan’s broader vision of being a digitally empowered nation.

    The UNDP report explains how Pakistan is utilizing AI to expand e-governance by digitizing public documents and automating administrative activities. AI tools are being tested to improve transparency, efficiency, and service responsiveness. While the report emphasizes AI’s role in smart governance and public service delivery, it does not explicitly relate AI-powered platforms to digital ID-based ecommerce payments. However, one of the essays does cite statistics about the growth that can be unlocked with digital ID-linked digital payment services.

    Pakistan is increasing investments in AI research and development to foster new industries, encourage entrepreneurs, and boost public-sector innovation. The government is pursuing AI integration with education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance systems to accelerate economic growth and boost digital competitiveness. Strategic relationships with universities and technology businesses are also being pursued to increase local AI capacity.

    AI is being leveraged in Pakistan to promote digital financial inclusion, especially among the underprivileged population. AI technologies facilitate alternative credit scoring models, enabling financial institutions to evaluate creditworthiness without traditional credit histories. These technologies make loans, insurance, and customized financial services more accessible.

    The UNDP report includes an interview with the Punjab Safe City Authority, which explores how AI is transforming public safety and citizen services. Artificial intelligence is being utilized to improve facial recognition, surveillance systems, traffic management, and emergency response. The Authority aims to create a secure and more efficient urban environment by analyzing real-time data while also strengthening government and public services.

    In his article “AI for Development,” UNDP’s Robert Opp underlines the significance of AI in improving digital governance. He promotes the development of inclusive digital identity systems that can improve public service delivery and accessibility. The emphasis is on ensuring that AI-powered technologies advantage underprivileged communities, encouraging equitable development while protecting privacy and security.

    Apr 22

  • Riaz Haq

    Pakistan allocates 2,000 megawatts of electricity to bitcoin mining, AI data centres | Reuters

    https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/pak...

    ISLAMABAD, May 25 (Reuters) - Pakistan will allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power bitcoin mining and AI data centres, its finance ministry said on Sunday.

    The allocation is part of Islamabad's plans to use its surplus electricity to bitcoin mining and AI data centres.

    Pakistan's energy sector is grappling with challenges, including high electricity tariffs and surplus generation capacity.

    --------------------
    https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/05/26/pakistan-taps-surplus-...

    What to know:
    Pakistan is allocating 2,000 megawatts of electricity to support bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers.
    The initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council, aims to create tech-related jobs and attract foreign investment while taking advantage of surplus capacity.
    Pakistan is also developing a regulatory framework to support its estimated 15-20 million cryptocurrency users.

    Pakistan has committed 2,000 megawatts of electricity to bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers, the country’s finance ministry said.

    The committed energy is being directed from coal-fired power plants that are currently running at 15% capacity, Bloomberg reports, in an initiative spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council.

    By tapping surplus energy, the government hopes to turn a liability into an asset. Officials say the plan will create tech-related jobs and help attract overseas capital as the country works to stabilize its fragile economy, which came close to default in 2023.

    Pakistan is also laying the groundwork for a regulatory framework to support its estimated 15 to 20 million cryptocurrency users.

    May 26