Pakistan to Establish Seven AI Hubs Under National Innovation Drive -

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has launched the National Artificial Intelligence Advancement Initiative (NAAI), a nationwide programme aimed at establishing seven AI Hubs across Pakistan to foster innovation, support startups and strengthen the country’s artificial intelligence ecosystem.

The initiative, part of the National AI Policy, envisions AI hubs in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit. The ministry will appoint a single company or consortium through a competitive bidding process to establish, operate and manage the centers, which will provide AI startups with modern workspaces, high-speed connectivity, mentoring facilities and collaboration areas.

The hubs will focus on developing AI solutions for key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, fintech, public services and smart cities. Over the two-year programme, each hub will incubate 40 startups annually, bringing the total number of supported startups to 560 nationwide.

In addition to incubation, the selected operator will organize AI boot camps, accelerator programmes, hackathons, innovation challenges and mentorship initiatives while connecting startups with investors, research institutions and technology companies to improve commercialization and investment opportunities.

A key feature of the initiative is the distribution of 150 non-dilutive seed grants for AI startups. While the government will provide the funding, the operator will be responsible for managing the application process, technical evaluations, grant disbursement and post-award monitoring under a transparent, merit-based framework with defined performance benchmarks.

The programme also includes two national AI hackathons and four AI awareness sessions to promote AI adoption and build technical skills among students, entrepreneurs, professionals and public-sector officials. The ministry has directed the operator to ensure broad participation, particularly from women and underserved communities, while developing partnerships with universities, research institutions and global technology firms.

Initially awarded for one year with the possibility of a one-year extension based on performance, the initiative reflects the government’s push to build a sustainable AI ecosystem by linking startups, academia, industry and investors. Officials believe the programme could accelerate Pakistan’s transition toward a knowledge-based digital economy and position the country as a regional hub for AI innovation. – ERMD