PNN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Tuesday that the government is working on a priority basis to leverage new technologies for national and economic development. He was speaking during a meeting with a high-level delegation of leading artificial intelligence experts during his private visit to the United Kingdom last week.
The PM emphasised the need to benefit from global expertise, particularly the participation of overseas Pakistanis, to fast-track Pakistan’s digital and economic transformation.
He said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence must be aligned with national priorities, institutional capacity, and inclusive development objectives.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government is actively engaging the private sector to improve the delivery of public services.
The delegation members discussed the practical use of artificial intelligence to address key challenges faced by Pakistan.
The delegation comprised senior representatives from prominent global institutions and organizations, including BlackRock, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Deloitte, and leading international AI and technology companies.
Chairman Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Bilal Bin Saqib was also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Bilal Bin Saqib said artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept for Pakistan but a present-day opportunity and the government is taking concrete measures in this regard.
The meeting reflects Pakistan’s broader vision for digital transformation, innovation-led growth, and the integration of internationally oriented institutional partners into technology-driven public policymaking.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the professional independence of the National Accountability Bureau and its mission to safeguard national resources.
He was talking to the Chairman of NAB, Lieutenant General (R) Nazir Ahmed, who called on him in Islamabad.
The prime minister formally reviewed NAB’s performance and commended its transformation into a technology-driven institution.
He applauded the integration of modern technologies, including AI-assisted investigations. Shehbaz Sharif further praised NAB’s e-office framework, which aligns with the government’s broader objectives of austerity and transparency.
The prime minister also appreciated NAB’s focus on public service.
On the occasion, the Chairman briefed the Prime Minister that the National Accountability Bureau recovered 6.213 trillion rupees last year, which is a record.
He informed him about the recovery of 2.98 million acres of state and forest land, valued at approximately 5.99 trillion rupees.
The Chairman further stated that 180 billion rupees had been returned to 115,587 victims of fake and fraudulent housing and investment schemes, which is a national service that helped restore the trust of the common citizen.
Nazir Ahmed said that NAB’s “Khuli Katcheri” and “Central Complaint Cell” have successfully bridged the gap between the state and its citizens and ensured that the Bureau serves as a forum for grievance redressal rather than intimidation.
During the meeting, the Chairman presented NAB’s Annual Report for the year 2025.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was also present on this occasion.