'Efficient' use of AI a challenge

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik said on Thursday that operational artificial intelligence agents have yet to be introduced in Pakistan but are expected to make an appearance in the coming years, adding that “technological progress must be inclusive, especially in light of the rising threat of climate change.”

The minister was speaking at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026, where he said that the prime minister had given a clear policy vision regarding technological progress, and that proposals on the subject had been consolidated accordingly.

The minister said that other nations like Japan, Singapore, and China were already busy developing AI agents, while Pakistan was trying to develop capacity in this area.

The main technical issue regarding the use of AI, according to the minister, is at the moment one of efficiency.

"Policies must keep the poorest segments of society at their core so they are not left behind during technological transitions," he said, adding that the government was working on integration strategies aimed at addressing the "last-mile problem" to ensure services and reforms effectively reach citizens.

Linking technology policy with climate vulnerability, the minister noted that recent floods had demonstrated the severe impact of climate change across villages, cities and mountainous regions, disproportionately affecting poor communities, farmers and children.

He reiterated that Pakistan contributes relatively little to global carbon emissions but faces significant climate-related risks, including glacier melt, erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events.