LAHORE: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Haroon Akhtar Khan, has said that it is the vision of the government to equip the youth of Pakistan with emerging technologies and skills such as Artificial Intelligence. He emphasised that acquiring expertise in Artificial Intelligence has become the need of the hour.
He was speaking to the media after inaugurating the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre at the Pakistan Industrial and Technical Assistance Centre (PITAC) Lahore.
“The world is progressing at a very rapid pace, and we must prepare our coming generations accordingly,” he stated. He added that, in line with the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PITAC has established an Artificial Intelligence Centre, an Electric Vehicle (EV) facility, and a Podcast Centre to promote modern technical skills.
Haroon Akhtar Khan highlighted that learning these skills is now essential, as economic growth is not possible without technological advancement. He appreciated the outstanding performance of PITAC and reaffirmed that this is the era of Artificial Intelligence, and Pakistan must move forward to remain competitive globally.
When asked ,he said that qualified trainers from abroad will be invited to ensure high-quality training at the AI Centre. “The real strength of Pakistan lies in its youth,” he said, adding that young people build businesses and achieve progress through startups and innovation. “Innovation is always driven by youth, keeping the future in view,” he remarked.
In response to question, Haroon Akhtar Khan expressed his determination to elevate the institution to international standards. He congratulated the management and staff on the successful inauguration of the Artificial Intelligence Centre, Electric Vehicle bikes facility, and Podcast Centre, and extended his best wishes for their continued success.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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