The Indus AI Summit 2026 marked a major advancement for Pakistan’s artificial intelligence strategy, shifting the country from long-term planning to actionable national initiatives. The summit established clear policy directions, secured international collaboration, and introduced measurable government commitments to develop a sovereign AI ecosystem.
Organized by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication in Islamabad, the event positioned AI at the core of Pakistan’s economic, governance, and workforce strategies. New funding, education reforms, and national AI governance principles were announced, signaling that AI is now treated as a key national priority.
A major outcome was the Islamabad Declaration, a framework guiding Pakistan’s AI development, ethical and accountable use, and practical implementation across government and industry. The declaration emphasizes sovereign control of data and provides a roadmap for AI adoption.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced a $1 billion investment in AI by 2030 to support research and sovereign computing infrastructure. The government will introduce AI education in federal schools, expand access to underserved regions including AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan, fund 1,000 PhD scholarships, and train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills to boost productivity across sectors.
IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted that implementation has already begun, including full e-office adoption across federal divisions and development of high-performance computing infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of international partnerships in building Pakistan’s AI capabilities.
The summit featured senior speakers from Pakistan, the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia, including policymakers, academics, and private-sector leaders. Discussions focused on AI governance, sovereign data systems, financing AI infrastructure, and creating competitive AI ecosystems. The event concluded with the launch of Indus AI Week, continuing through February 15, featuring public exhibitions, student engagement, and startup-focused activities at the Islamabad Sports Complex to promote awareness and hands-on experience with AI technologies.