The government is gearing up to introduce its first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy by early 2025, aiming to revolutionize cybersecurity with advanced capabilities designed to detect and respond to threats in real time, thereby preventing potential data breaches. This comprehensive policy is expected to accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy and pave the way for a “Digital Pakistan.”
The forthcoming AI policy, combined with an expansive rollout of digital public infrastructure across the nation, is projected to boost Pakistan’s standing in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI). Officials anticipate a substantial rise from the country’s current top 40 ranking in 2024 to within the top 10-15 countries worldwide.
Speaking at the ‘Cyber Threat Intelligence 2024’ conference on November 13, Syed Junaid Imam, Member IT, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, underscored the importance of this policy. “In just a few months, we expect to have Pakistan’s first AI policy. We are prioritizing AI applications for cybersecurity, recognizing that AI is crucial for safeguarding cyberspace,” he said, according to a statement issued by conference organizers Total Communications.
Highlighting the critical link between cybersecurity and economic growth, Imam emphasized, “We cannot take Pakistan on the path of a digital economy if we do not ensure cybersecurity.” He added, “There is a realization that the digital economy is the future of Pakistan. If we want Pakistan to take on the road of economic growth and prosperity, we have to ensure the country’s digital transformation.”
The government has already established the national Computer/Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) and is in the process of forming sector-specific CERTs for key industries, such as telecom, banking, and education. “In a month’s time, you will see sectoral CERTs, and there will also be provincial government CERTs,” Imam noted, emphasizing that coordinated efforts to share threat intelligence will be crucial for national security.
Asad Effendi, Founder & CEO of Secure Networks, explained, “AI can help detect cyber threats in real time, respond then and there, and help protect valuable data and information.” Ammar Jaffri, Former Additional Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency and President of PISA Pakistan, pointed out the necessity of real-time collaboration, drawing on Bangladesh’s previous struggles without a national cyber threat coordination platform.
Igor Stolyarov, Technical Sales & Business Manager at Group IB, highlighted that Pakistan is increasingly becoming a target for cyber attackers. “Their primary targets are education, communication, military infrastructure sites, and government sectors,” he said. Haytham Nassar, Cybersecurity Specialist at CISCO, warned of sophisticated ransomware tactics, noting, “The hackers identify and use an account that has remained dormant for quite some time to steal information.”
