By maleeha zahid
ISLAMABAD – The federal government has decided to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) education at the primary level, aiming to equip young students with digital skills from an early age. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima, shared the development during a Senate IT Committee meeting chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan.
She stated that children across Pakistan will begin learning AI in primary school, aligning with the government’s plan to revise the national curriculum. A special committee, formed by the Prime Minister, is working to include IT education in schools across the country.
The minister also emphasized holding universities accountable if their IT graduates remain unemployed. She suggested that such institutions should face penalties and even funding cuts by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
During the meeting, lawmakers raised questions about the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) fund usage. Senator Afnan Ullah noted that while last year the IT Ministry received Rs. 21 billion, only Rs. 16 billion was allocated this year. In response, Shaza Fatima explained that PSDP funds had been reduced overall.
The session also saw a heated debate over the reappointment of the Director General of International Coordination. The chair questioned why the ministry rehired the same individual despite advertising the post. The minister defended the process, stating that transparency was maintained and the reappointment was based on merit.
On public internet access, Shaza Fatima clarified that Islamabad currently has no dedicated public Wi-Fi project. However, she confirmed that underground fiber cables are being laid for Parliament and surrounding areas. Wi-Fi access will soon expand to schools, hospitals, police stations, parks, and metro stations, as part of the broader Smart Islamabad initiative.