Indus AI Summit 2026 Concludes Successfully; Prime Minister Attends as Islamabad Declaration Is Announced

The Indus AI Summit 2026, organized by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, concluded successfully on Monday at the Jinnah Convention Centre. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended as chief guest, while Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal were also present. In front of a special gathering of global experts and industry leaders, they spoke about setting the country’s strategic direction on artificial intelligence. The summit—described as the strategic center of Indus AI Week (9 to 15 February)—moved Pakistan’s AI ambitions from policy toward practical implementation. Delegates took part in high-level dialogues focused on evidence-based frameworks, international cooperation, and strengthening a national AI ecosystem. A key moment was the formal announcement of the Islamabad Declaration. The document presents a comprehensive statement of national intent and sets Pakistan’s core principles and practical priorities for sovereign AI and artificial general intelligence (AGI). It is based on eight strategic pillars: sovereign purpose and measurable public value; human accountability under constitutional authority; priority delivery based on practical use; sovereign data privacy and trust; explainable, testable and safe AI; a whole-of-government approach to AI governance; inclusive and responsible innovation; and a sovereign and open AI ecosystem led by the private sector. The declaration is intended to guide implementation across all levels of government and the wider economy so that Pakistan’s AI development aligns with ethical, safe and sovereign interests. The summit concluded with a final panel titled “Next Steps: Impact of the Week,” moderated by Zarar Khan, with Dr Sohail Munir and Sajjad Syed (Chairman P@SHA) participating. With the summit’s conclusion, the broader Indus AI Week formally began, shifting attention to an Innovation, Learning and Engagement Arena at the Islamabad Sports Complex where the public, students and startups will take part in hands-on AI demonstrations. Indus AI Week 2026 will continue nationwide until 15 February.