ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related initiatives were underway to augment economic activity in the country.

He said various development programmes had been launched in the production sector besides promotion of investments through the industrial zones.

In a written reply during the question and answer session in the Senate, the minister said the ministry had increased the PSDP allocation from Rs5 billion to Rs8 billion for industrial development and to facilitate SMEs and establish SEZs, skill development centres and mineral exploration.

He said in the fiscal year 2024-25, Rs4918,758 million had been allocated to the Ministry of Industries Production to undertake its 13 ongoing development initiatives in the manufacturing sector. He said various measures regarding AI and other initiatives would benefit the industrial sector to reorient it towards exports.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2025