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SHEHBAZ UNVEILS $1B AI PUSH BY 2030, CALLS INDUS AI WEEK A ‘GAME-CHANGER’ FOR PAKISTAN Tuesday, 10 February, 2026 | 21 Sha’ban, 1447
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PM ANNOUNCES $1B INVESTMENT, CALLS AI A GAME-CHANGER FOR ECONOMY AND GOVERNANCE
1,000 FULLY FUNDED PHD SCHOLARSHIPS, 1 MILLION NON-IT PROFESSIONALS TO BE TRAINED IN AI
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ISLAMABAD
SAYS AI CURRICULUM TO BE INTRODUCED NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING AJK, GB AND REMOTE BALOCHISTAN AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AT CORE OF PAKISTAN’S AI ROADMAP
Staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced an ambitious plan to invest $1 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030, declaring that Pakistan was ready to embrace emerging technologies and compete globally in the digital economy. Addressing the inauguration of Indus AI Week 2026 in Islamabad, the premier said the investment would play a pivotal role in building a robust AI ecosystem in the country. Indus AI Week, being held from February 9 to 15, has been billed as Pakistan’s official national platform for artificial intelligence, bringing together policymakers, innovators, investors and talent. “The government of Pakistan is committed to investing $1 billion in AI by 2030, which will go a long way in building an AI ecosystem in our country,” PM Shehbaz said, describing the initiative as “nothing short of a game-changer” for the nation’s technological future. As part of the roadmap, the prime minister announced the introduction of an AI curriculum in all federally run schools as well as educational institutions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and GilgitBaltistan. He added that the programme would also be extended to remote areas of Balochistan to prepare youth for leadership roles in the digital economy. The premier further revealed that the government would offer 1,000 fully
funded PhD scholarships in artificial intelligence by 2030 to develop world-class research capacity. In addition, a nationwide programme would be launched to train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills, aimed at enhancing productivity and improving livelihoods. “Pakistan is absolutely ready to accept the challenge and walk with our global partners with great commitment and dedication,” he said, noting that agriculture, mining and minerals would be key sectors benefiting from AI-driven transformation. He stressed that empowering youth—who make up around 60 per cent of the population—with modern knowledge and techniques was central to the government’s vision. PM Shehbaz said the shift towards AI would unlock unprecedented gains in agri-
Eight Muslim nations warn Israel against West Bank annexation push ISLAMABAD agenCieS
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cultural productivity, industrial growth and women’s empowerment, while also transforming IT technicians into AI experts through targeted programmes. The prime minister also reflected on earlier digital reforms, recalling initiatives launched during his tenure as Punjab chief minister, including laptop distribution schemes, e-libraries, estamping, and the computerisation of land records in collaboration with the World Bank. He said these measures helped curb corruption, improve governance, and boost revenue collection. He highlighted the launch of Pakistan’s first Safe City project and IT university in Lahore, and pointed to ongoing digitalisation efforts at the Federal Board of Revenue, including the use of scanners and digital tools at ports
to curb smuggling and tax evasion. “Our commitment is solid and unwavering,” the prime minister said. “We will keep marching forward until Pakistan finds its rightful place among the comity of nations.” IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, speaking at the event, said Indus AI Week aimed to enhance coordination between universities, governments, and international technology firms. She added that the Pakistan Digital Authority was preparing a nationwide digital master plan to guide future transformation. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, in his remarks, said the world had entered an era where intelligence itself had become a factor of production, with nations now competing on ideas, data and technology rather than commodities. He described artificial intelligence as a bigger disruptor than electricity or the internet and noted that Pakistan’s journey into the digital domain began over two decades ago with early IT policies, the establishment of Nadra and investments in advanced human capital. The government approved the National AI Policy in July 2025 to democratise access to AI, improve public services and create new avenues for employment and innovation. However, officials acknowledge that its broader implementation has slowed due to proposed changes in the AI Council and limited provincial engagement, with Indus AI Week described as the first major step towards building awareness and readiness nationwide.
Pakistan to play India in T20 World Cup clash after appeals from friendly nations ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Eight Muslim countries, including Pakistan, issued a joint statement on Monday warning against what they described as Israel’s “continued expansionist policies” in the occupied West Bank, condemning recent Israeli steps that they say pave the way for illegal annexation and displacement of Palestinians. The statement, endorsed by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, strongly denounced what it called unlawful Israeli measures aimed at imposing sovereignty, expanding settlements, and creating a new legal and administrative reality in the occupied territory. The warning came a day after Israel’s security cabinet approved measures that, according to Israeli media, would ease restrictions on settlers purchasing land in the West Bank while granting Israeli authorities broader enforcement powers over Palestinians. Reports by Ynet and Haaretz cited Israeli officials as saying that decadesold regulations barring Jewish private citizens from buying land in the territory would be scrapped. Reaffirming that “Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory,” the eight ministers cautioned that such policies fuel violence and instability across the region. They said Israel’s actions constituted a “blatant violation of international law,” undermined the two-state solution and amounted to an assault on the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to an independent and sovereign state. The ministers declared Israel’s measures “null and void,” stressing that they violate United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns attempts to alter the demographic composition and status of territories occupied since 1967.
At the request of friendly countries, the federal government on Monday directed the Pakistan national team to play its scheduled ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo. Pakistan had earlier decided not to face archrival India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were excluded from the tournament after citing security concerns and refusing to send their team to New Delhi. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the Pakistan-India match during a telephone call with Sri Lankan President. The Sri Lankan leader urged Pakistan to play the match in Sri Lanka, recalling Islamabad’s continued support for Sri Lankan cricket during years of terrorism, when Pakistan kept touring the island despite security challenges. The president said Pakistan had always prioritised its longstanding ties with Sri Lanka, while PM Shehbaz welcomed the sentiments and acknowledged Colombo’s support during difficult times for Pakistan as well.
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One million children ‘missed’ as refusals haunt Pakistan’s first polio drive of 2026
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
Around one million children were missed and nearly 53,000 refusals recorded during Pakistan’s first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of the year, with Karachi accounting for the largest share of refusals, officials said. The campaign, which concluded on February 5 in most parts of the country and on February 8 in Sindh, saw polio drops administered to more than 44.3 million children — a major milestone in ongoing efforts to eradicate the virus. Despite an overall household coverage of 98 per cent, the sheer size of the missed population remains a cause for concern. Official data shows that about 0.95 million children were not vaccinated, with nearly 670,000 missed because they were not available at home when vaccinators visited. During the drive, around 2.5 million “guest children” were also vaccinated, likely covering a substantial portion of those initially marked as unavailable. An official from the programme said 233,000 children were left unvaccinated due to security challenges, community boycotts and snow-bound areas. Of these, 184,000 were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including 113,000 from the province’s southern districts. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, nearly 50,000 children remained unreachable because of harsh weather and the non-conduct of campaigns. In Balochistan, vaccination drives were postponed in Mastung, Gwadar, Chagai and Awaran due to security concerns. Overall, refusals accounted for 0.14 per cent of the total target population, with Karachi alone reporting 31,000 refusals — 58 per cent of the national total. In a statement, the National Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) appreciated the efforts of all stakeholders involved in the campaign. It said more than 22.9 million children were vaccinated in Punjab, over 10.5 million in Sindh, more than 7.13 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and over 2.36 million in Balochistan.
Pakistan eyes closer Japan ties following Takaichi’s re-election as PM ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
“Recently, the Sri Lankan team took an unforgettable step for the Pakistani nation and cricket fans by not cancelling its tour of Pakistan,” the prime minister said, adding that a final decision on the match would be conveyed after consultations. ICC rules out penalty for Bangladesh Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council confirmed that no financial, sporting, or administrative penalty would be imposed on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the national team’s absence from the ICC
Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. In a statement, the ICC said discussions covered the T20 World Cup and the broader future of cricket in South Asia, reaffirming Bangladesh’s status as a valued full member with a vital role in the global game. The ICC added that the BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee under existing regulations. It also announced that Bangladesh would host an ICC event before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031, subject to standard hosting procedures.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday sought to bolster ties with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after she was re-elected to the Asian nation’s top office. PM Shehbaz added, “We look forward to continuing working with Prime Minister Takaichi to further strengthen and diversify our excellent bilateral relations with Japan.” Meanwhile, Pakistani officials have said that Pakistan has expressed its intention to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations with Japan after Fumio Takaichi was re-elected as the country’s Prime Minister. The officials highlighted the importance of boosting bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and regional security, aiming to leverage Japan’s expertise in infrastructure, energy, and innovation for mutual growth. Foreign Ministry sources noted that Pakistan looks forward to engaging with Japan on initiatives promoting economic development, investment in key sectors, and people-topeople exchanges, while reinforcing shared commitments to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari also felicitated the Japanese leader on her historic landslide victory and wished her success in leading a strong and prosperous Japan. The coalition of Japan’s first female leader Takaichi, swept to a historic election win on Sunday.
Asif urges unity, national consensus as NA condemns Islamabad Imambargah attack ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday underscored the need for a shared national identity and unity against terrorism as the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the suicide attack on an imambargah in Islamabad. Addressing the House, Asif said it was “very important that we have a national identity on which no one disagrees,” lamenting that the country was not even united in condemning terrorism amid a resurgence of militant violence. Referring to political divisions, he regretted that some people avoided attending funerals of martyrs to safeguard political interests. “At least on national issues—regardless of party affiliation—there must be consensus on Pakistan, its integrity, and respect for those who sacrifice their lives,” he said. The defence minister described terrorism as a blowback of past policies, saying two
former dictators had joined the Afghan war to appease a superpower. He alleged that religious hatred in Pakistan was being fueled under an international conspiracy and claimed that India was sponsoring terrorism in the country through a proxy war, including the use of Afghan militants. Asif said sectarian differences should be resolved in Parliament rather than spilling into mosques and imambargahs. “Let us make this parliament functional in a real manner,” he urged, stressing loyalty to the Constitution and unconditional allegiance to the state. “All issues can be resolved here if our politics becomes subservient to the state.” Leader of the Opposition Mehmood Khan Achakzai called for a three-day parliamentary debate on terrorism, urging all stakeholders to jointly devise solutions. He offered unconditional support to the government for strengthening Parliament and proposed that Pakistan request the UN secretary general to convene an international conference on Afghanistan.
Earlier, the National Assembly passed a resolution condemning the February 6 suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijah-tulKubra in Islamabad. Tabled by PML-N lawmaker Hameed Hussain, the resolution termed the attack “a direct assault on the Constitution, religious freedom, national security, and interfaith harmony.” The House demanded that the perpetrators, facilitators and planners be exposed and brought to justice, called for indiscriminate action against banned organisations and their networks, and sought effective measures to counter extremist propaganda. It also urged permanent security arrangements for places of worship, adequate financial assistance for the families of martyrs, the best medical care for the injured, and the formulation and implementation of an effective national counterterrorism strategy. “This house reiterates its resolve that terrorism, sectarianism and hate-based violence will not be tolerated in Pakistan,” the resolution said, pledging full protection of citizens’ lives and property.
Senate demands judicial inquiry into deadly suicide bombing ISLAMABAD
Staff report
The Senate on Monday unanimously adopted a condolence and condemnation resolution over the suicide attack at an imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, calling for the establishment of a judicial commission to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. The resolution urged the government and relevant institutions to immediately constitute a transparent, comprehensive and time-bound judicial inquiry. It proposed that the commission comprise retired senior Supreme Court judges, representatives of intelligence agencies, the Ministry of Interior, as well as members from the National Assembly and the Senate.
At least 33 people were killed and around 169 others injured when a suicide bomber struck Imambargah Khadijah alKubra during Friday prayers last week. The blast, accompanied by explosions and gunfire, occurred as worshippers gathered for Jumma prayers. It was the deadliest attack in the federal capital in more than a decade and the deadliest nationwide since the Peshawar mosque bombing of January 2023. The resolution was tabled by Senator Waqar Mehdi, while Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas proposed the inclusion of a demand for a judicial commission. It strongly condemned the attack, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for the perpetrators, facilitators and alleged sponsors to be brought to justice in accordance with the law.