Accelerating AI adoption: govt announces week-long national initiative

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced Indus AI Week 2026, a week-long national initiative aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence adoption across government, industry, academia and startups, as Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja unveiled the programme on Friday.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, Indus AI Week will be held from February 9 to 15, 2026, positioning Pakistan’s AI drive as a nationwide public-private effort focused on awareness, skills development, responsible adoption and practical engagement across sectors.

The ministry said the initiative is designed as an open and inclusive platform, bringing together policymakers, technology leaders, enterprises, universities, startups, students and the wider public in Islamabad and across the country.

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The week’s programme will include a national technology showcase, innovation and startup spotlights to connect founders with investors, skills training and certification opportunities, a gaming and experiential AI arena, and interactive public engagement activities aimed at translating AI discussions into hands-on learning and collaboration.

Announcing the initiative, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the launch builds on Pakistan’s National AI Policy introduced last year, with a focus on moving “beyond dialogue and toward adoption.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026