LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has said that the country’s youth is its most valuable strategic asset; therefore, equipping them with digital skills and tools is of utmost importance.
He stated this while addressing the closing ceremony of “Pakistan’s Biggest AI Showdown — 3rd International AI Championship” at LUMS through a video link.
He added that Pakistan’s brightest minds were not just competing but also imagining, creating, and leading the way forward.
Ahsan Iqbal said, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming nations across all sectors. In healthcare, AI helps save lives through early diagnosis; in agriculture, it enables farmers to enhance productivity; in education, it makes learning more accessible; and in governance, it brings efficiency, transparency, and improved services for citizens.”
The minister emphasized, “Those who master AI will lead the 21st century, and those who ignore it will be left behind.” He said that in the modern world, national security is no longer defined solely by weapons but by intelligence and data.
He mentioned that under the “Marka-i-Haq” initiative, Pakistan has demonstrated its defence and strategic readiness through integrated data systems and AI-enabled situational awareness for swift and effective responses. “A smart nation is a secure nation today,” he remarked.
Ahsan Iqbal said that under the “Uraan Pakistan” agenda, the government’s mission is to transform Pakistan into a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.
“We are building the foundation of a digital Pakistan through digital public infrastructure, science and technology capacity, human capital development, and a robust innovation ecosystem,” he added.
He said some of the key initiatives include the National AI Policy for responsible and inclusive AI growth, and the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence. He recalled that in 2017, under Vision 2025, the foundations of several advanced research centres were laid — including the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, National Centre for Cyber Security, National Centre for Automation and Robotics, National Centre for Big Data and Cloud Computing, and National Centre for GIS and Satellite Technology — to ensure Pakistan’s transition toward a modern economy.
“This year, we are setting up the National Centre for Quantum Computing, the National Centre for New Manufacturing, and the National Centre for Nanotechnology,” he announced.
He further said that “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0” is also focusing on technology cooperation, smart trade, and industrial modernization.
“With China, we have agreed to train 300,000 young Pakistanis every year in AI
and other digital skills,” he disclosed. The federal minister noted that Pakistan’s greatest resource is sitting in classrooms, emphasizing that universities must evolve into innovation powerhouses. He said that Pakistan would become a true digital nation when educational campuses become centres of creativity and innovation.
He said, “‘Uraan Pakistan’ is not merely a policy but a movement aimed at empowering the country’s youth to design Pakistan’s digital future.”
Ahsan Iqbal remarked that the global economy has transformed, as countries are no longer competing in commodities but in creativity, intelligence, and innovation. He stressed that Pakistan must expand its exports from textiles to technology.
“Pakistan has talent — only the right direction and opportunities are required,” he
added. The federal minister congratulated LUMS for hosting the 3rd International AI
Championship in collaboration with FAST University and commended the participants for their innovative contributions.
