The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has announced the launch of Indus AI Week 2026, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting the adoption of artificial intelligence across Pakistan’s public and private sectors.

The week-long event will take place from February 9 to February 15, 2026, and will conclude with a flagship summit at the Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad.

According to MoITT, the initiative is being organized under the government’s Digital Pakistan framework and will bring together policymakers, technology companies, academia, and startups.

In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said artificial intelligence has become a practical requirement for governance and industrial development rather than a futuristic concept.

He said the government intends to use AI in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and finance to improve efficiency and transparency, while also focusing on skill development for young professionals.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government is shifting from policy discussions to implementation. She added that the event will provide opportunities for collaboration between local talent and international technology firms.

“With Indus AI Week, the focus is on practical adoption of AI,” she said, noting that Pakistan produces more than 25,000 IT graduates each year who can contribute to emerging technologies.

According to MoITT, Indus AI Week will include several thematic programs, including AI for HER, aimed at encouraging women’s participation in the AI economy, and E-Sports and Gaming, highlighting gaming as a digital export sector.

The event will also feature a Technology and Innovation Hub to connect startups with investors and policymakers.

Other planned activities include showcases on AR/VR and robotics, a GovTech and DefenceTech exhibition, an Industry Expo with on-site interviews, a National AI Training Bootcamp, and the Uraan AI Techathon 1.0.

Former P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan said the initiative could support the private sector’s efforts to expand into advanced technologies. He said Pakistan’s IT industry has recorded export growth and is now looking to develop intellectual property in areas such as generative AI and deep tech.

MoITT said the event aims to support the integration of artificial intelligence into Pakistan’s economy through training, collaboration, and policy engagement.