ISLAMABAD: Pakistan needs to have data governance before implementing artificial intelligence (AI) governance.

This was stated by speakers at the Indus AI Summit 2026 here on Monday.

Speaking at various sessions, experts stressed that Pakistan needed to have data governance prior to AI governance, adding AI should not be confused with information technology (IT) as the two were different.

They said the purpose of establishing a ‘digital government’ was to ensure that all stakeholders, including the citizens, could avail of the public service facilities even after office hours.

Organised by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the summit was part of the Indus AI Week.

Speaking at one of the sessions, Muhammet Kasim Gönüllü, Deputy Minister for Industry and Technology, Türkiye, said AI adoption was no longer a choice and his country had more than 300,000 R&D experts. He added that a strong AI base had also helped Türkiye develop startups and techno part industry in the defence sector.

“But we believe that AI should be a tool for peace and prosperity through its ethical use,” Mr Gönüllü added.

Speakers at a panel, “Designing AI-native government” said AI had helped fintechs to have financial services beyond the banking hours – same way the government services too should be available after 5pm.

The speakers included Mohammad Sear of Pakistan Digital Authority, Dr Ali Al-Azzawi, Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia, Dr Sanjiva Weerawarana from Sri Lanka, Siim Sikkut from Digital Nation, Estonia, Hatem Bamatraf, CEO (PTCL/Ufone) and Aamir Ibrahim, CEO Jazz.

They said the gaps in AI policies was usually due to the fact that the decision was made at the top level whereas the end-users were the general public, including uneducated people.

Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government wanted to set national strategic direction for AI. She highlighted key initiatives of the government, including the full e-office adoption across federal divisions and the establishment of high-performance computing foundations.

She said the government was moving from policy formulation to tangible implementation by building the necessary digital infrastructure and fostering international partnerships to position Pakistan as a credible global technology player.

Dr Michael Sung of China Academy of Science spoke about digitisation and AI adoption in China involving the government services for general public even trade.

The final panel was “Next Steps: Impact of the Week,” was moderated by Secretary IT Zarrar Khan and featured Dr Sohail Munir and Sajjad Syed chairman P@SHA, the association of software houses in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2026