Pakistan has launched a plan to develop an artificial intelligence-based operating system for government functions, aiming to modernize public administration and improve efficiency.

The Pakistan Digital Authority has initiated work on a Cognitive Government Operating System, designed to transform how government departments operate by integrating AI into core processes.

The initiative is being carried out with support from the Ministry of Information Technology, which has shortlisted international consultants to help design the system.

The goal is to review existing governance structures and rebuild them into a streamlined digital framework. Officials said the new system will move away from traditional departmental structures and instead focus on core functions, enabling simpler workflows and reducing duplication.

Artificial intelligence tools will be used to redesign processes and improve coordination across departments.

The proposed system will also include simulations and practical use cases to demonstrate how AI can support decision making at higher levels of government.

It aims to create a unified digital framework for managing operations and improving policy execution. The project is planned as a short term strategic exercise that will produce a roadmap for phased implementation.

Authorities believe the initiative will lay the foundation for next generation digital governance and support Pakistan’s broader digital transformation efforts.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, retired Major General Hafeez Ur Rehman, has announced that the federal government will hold a separate 5G spectrum auction for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) within months of the nationwide rollout.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Minister for Information Technology Ghulam Abbas in Islamabad on Thursday.

The meeting focused on the proposed 5G auction and broader connectivity challenges in the mountainous region.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) assured that both Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) would be included in the next phase of the 5G rollout.

During the discussion, the caretaker minister stressed the importance of extending next-generation telecom services to remote and mountainous areas alongside major urban centers. He said reliable high-speed internet has become essential for education, healthcare, tourism, business growth, and digital governance.

Ghulam Abbas highlighted that the youth in Gilgit-Baltistan have strong potential in the IT and digital economy but face limitations due to slow internet speeds and restricted bandwidth. He noted that the introduction of 5G services could significantly enhance freelancing opportunities, online entrepreneurship, and access to modern technological platforms.

The PTA chairman explained that technical assessments and administrative requirements for launching 5G services in geographically challenging areas are still underway.

The meeting also reviewed mobile network and internet service issues in remote regions, particularly weak signals in mountainous areas. Both sides expressed their commitment to improving telecom infrastructure to accelerate social and economic development through expanded digital connectivity.