Pakistan could generate up to Rs. 9.7 trillion (around $34.9 billion) in economic value by 2030 through large-scale digital transformation, according to a new policy proposal ahead of the federal budget.
The report argues that most of this potential lies in key SME-driven sectors such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and logistics. To address this gap, it recommends a Rs. 3 billion National AI Adoption Fund designed as a matching-grant program for small and medium-sized enterprises.
“Without an adoption fund, that value remains theoretical,” the report added.
Under the proposed structure, eligible SMEs—registered, tax-compliant, and employing fewer than 500 workers—would receive government support covering up to 40 percent of verified AI implementation costs, capped at Rs. 5 million per firm.
Implementation would be required through PSEB-registered AI firms or certified technology partners.
The proposal sets strict verification rules, limiting eligible expenses to AI software, integration services, training from approved providers, and hardware directly tied to deployment. All claims would require third-party audit certification and periodic spot checks to ensure accountability.
Participating companies would also be required to submit baseline performance data and a 12-month impact report measuring improvements in cost reduction, revenue growth, efficiency gains, error reduction, or customer response time, with independent evaluation oversight.
Sector-wise allocation would prioritise manufacturing (30 percent), healthcare (20 percent), financial services (20 percent), agriculture technology (15 percent), and retail and logistics (15 percent).
The governance model would be overseen by an independent technical committee including representatives from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, State Bank of Pakistan, P@SHA, and industry experts, with conflict-of-interest safeguards for participating firms.
The proposal also sees around 600 SME AI deployments in its initial phase. Basically, it would be a pilot program aimed at building both demand for AI solutions and real-world adoption across the economy.
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This is called delusion. We’ve heard this before. It never works.
No pakistan cannot earn anything with ai adoption
You need data centers which consume resources like water and land. Both which we don’t have.
You need high Level equipment which we don’t have. And can’t since it costs dollars.
Won’t help bcz unemployment will rise since data centers don’t require alot of employees.
Lastly they carry risk of being targeted in case of conflict.
No such thing works. You want to earn extra revenue , get Corp to pay their taxes.
Also which ai will be generating revenue and how ?
If you use claude or open ai you’ll be bleeding resources. Who’s going to clean the water ? No ai can do it. Bcz it doesn’t know how to.
Or will you be using chinese ai models ? Which cost less but are open source. Meaning no need for ai adoption fund to begin with .
Pasha or whatever sme can’t provide jobs since it doesn’t operate anything.
And who’s going to address employment and health issues ?
This is why you must never trust industry experts . You must trust actual scientists