IPS Seminar Examines Historical and Diplomatic Dimensions of Kashmir Dispute and Quest for Self-Determination

Pakistan needs a practical and context-specific framework for artificial intelligence (AI) governance that balances technological innovation with national security, data sovereignty, economic priorities, and ethical considerations, experts said at a seminar organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad.

The seminar, titled ‘Governing the Algorithm: Comparative AI Policies and Lessons for Pakistan,’ was held on October 30, 2026, and brought together experts to examine international approaches to AI governance and their implications for Pakistan. Discussions highlighted the need to move beyond policy announcements toward measurable implementation, strengthen indigenous technological capabilities, and ensure that AI development serves human welfare.

Speakers included Dr. Masood Mehmood Khan, faculty member, Curtin University, Australia; Zeeshan Javed, associate director, Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad; and Muhammad Faizan Fakhar, senior research associate, Center for Aerospace and Security Studies, Islamabad. Yasir Riaz, director general, IPS, also shared his perspective, while Khalid Rahman, chairman, IPS, chaired the session.

Dr. Masood Mehmood Khan, faculty member at Curtin University, Australia, emphasized that AI policy should be treated as a comprehensive national framework integrating governance, economic priorities, infrastructure, research, and human development. Drawing on international experiences, he outlined ten interconnected policy areas, including digital infrastructure, computing capacity, human capital, industrial development, public services, safety, and international cooperation.

He stressed that Pakistan’s progress should be assessed through tangible outcomes rather than policy announcements or pilot projects. Strengthening priority datasets, expanding affordable computing resources, developing practical skills, and adopting AI models suited to national requirements were among his recommendations.

Zeeshan Javed, associate director at the Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad, highlighted the environmental and material demands of AI development, particularly water, energy, and computing infrastructure. He argued that indigenization should extend beyond software to essential hardware, including graphics processing units and memory components. He also called for realistic assessments of available resources, financial capacity, and sustainability requirements.

Examining international approaches, Muhammad Faizan Fakhar, senior research associate at the Center for Aerospace and Security Studies, Islamabad, discussed AI governance models in the United States, China, and the European Union. He noted that global AI competition increasingly revolves around technological ecosystems, including semiconductors, computing hardware, and supply chains. He underscored the importance of data sovereignty, retaining skilled professionals, independently evaluating AI systems, and addressing cybersecurity risks arising from dependence on foreign technologies.

Yasir Riaz, director general of IPS, observed that AI-driven transformation would reshape economies and societies, potentially displacing entry-level and middle-skilled workers. He cautioned that its benefits could remain concentrated among highly skilled groups, widening economic inequalities and affecting social structures. He also emphasized the importance of reliable data systems for ensuring accurate AI outputs.

Chairing the session, IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman emphasized that AI governance must be grounded in human purpose, accountability, and ethical responsibility. He cautioned against allowing algorithms to independently determine ethical standards and stressed the importance of preserving moral and religious foundations. He maintained that technological advancement should serve human welfare, development, and peace rather than merely material interests.

The discussion highlighted the need for a coordinated national approach that combines effective governance, technological preparedness, institutional responsibility, and a clear ethical direction.