Islamabad – 10 February 2026(Nosheen): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, underscored the Government’s strategic approach to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency, strengthen revenue administration, improve transparency, and support evidence-based policymaking. The Finance Minister was speaking during a panel discussion titled “AI for Public Service Transformation and SDG Acceleration” at the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workshop. In his remarks, Senator Aurangzeb observed that countries are adopting AI at varying stages, shaped by their respective economic structures and development priorities. He emphasized that Pakistan’s focus must remain on applied, outcome-driven solutions that deliver measurable gains in efficiency, transparency, and productivity, rather than pursuing technology for its own sake. He noted that AI-enabled systems are increasingly contributing to improved compliance, enforcement, and decision-making. Highlighting the Government’s ongoing tax transformation agenda—anchored in reforms to people, processes, and technology—the Minister stated that AI-led customer relationship management (CRM) systems, AI-driven production monitoring, risk-based compliance tools, and faceless customer processes are being deployed to enhance transparency, reduce leakages, and improve revenue performance.
The Minister emphasized that reducing discretionary human intervention through technology is central to curbing inefficiencies and corruption. He added that AI-based systems have already generated tangible fiscal gains that would not have been achievable through manual processes alone. Addressing emerging digital assets, Senator Aurangzeb highlighted the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA), stating that it reflects the Government’s commitment to managing risks while integrating new technologies into the formal economy. He stressed that bringing digital asset activities into a regulated framework is essential to safeguarding financial stability and unlocking future economic potential. On the broader digital economy, the Finance Minister underscored the importance of investing in human capital and skills development to enable Pakistan’s youth to participate in higher-value segments of the global technology ecosystem. He noted that advanced technologies, including blockchain and data analytics, can play a critical role in driving productivity-led growth and expanding income opportunities.
Concluding his remarks, Senator Aurangzeb stated that artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities for Pakistan in areas such as revenue mobilization, public service delivery, and climate and population management. He emphasized that realizing these gains will require clear policy direction, institutional readiness, and a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to digital transformation. Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal were also present at the session.