Islamabad: Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has emphasized the importance of leveraging modern emerging technologies to ensure the prosperity and development of the country.

According to Radio Pakistan, during a discussion session of the “Margalla Dialogue” in Islamabad, Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted that Artificial Intelligence transcends the confines of IT, technology, or economic efficiency. She noted that AI is also a matter of national security, geo-strategic influence, and impacts various facets of life through the latest technology.

The Minister pointed out that adopting AI is not merely an optional endeavor but a critical concern for national sovereignty and future sustainable prosperity. She remarked on the current global competition involving data, codes, algorithms, and computing powers.

Khawaja also mentioned that Pakistan holds significant potential due to its human resource and strategic global positioning. She assured that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is fully committed to enhancing productivity in AI, Information Technology, and both software and hardware sectors.

Discussing the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, she remarked on the role of cyber warfare in recent conflicts with India. She noted that the federal government has recently passed a national AI policy addressing AI and cyber threats challenges.

The Minister elaborated on the Ministry’s successful initiatives, including establishing high-performing computing infrastructure, launching a national intelligence advancement initiative, and supporting the private sector in building capabilities for emerging technologies. She reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting AI, IT, and the latest technologies across the country.