Cabinet okays AI, Haj policies

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, approved the Haj Policy 2026, increasing the government’s share under the regular Haj scheme to 67pc, up nearly 17pc from the previous 50pc.

Under the revised policy, Pakistan’s total Haj quota of 179,210 will now be distributed with two-thirds allocated to the government’s regular scheme, while the private sector’s share has been reduced from 50pc to 33pc. The cabinet also approved a 1,000-pilgrim quota under the hardship category. Each private Haj operator or group will be required to manage a minimum of 2,000 pilgrims. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, directed the Ministry of IT to work closely with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to ensure complete digital transformation of the Haj process.

To ensure transparency and improved service delivery, the cabinet approved third-party validation of both the government and private Haj schemes. The policy also introduces enhanced digital measures, including real-time monitoring of payments and applications for private operators, the use of Pak Haj mobile app, digital wristbands, and SIMs for pilgrims. Additional reforms include transparent selection of Haj assistants through competitive testing, upgraded lodging and food arrangements, and the introduction of emergency compensation mechanisms. The meeting was informed that the private companies, which failed to fulfil their responsibilities in the previous year, would now be required to accommodate affected individuals in 2026.

The federal cabinet approved Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025 to build a robust, inclusive AI ecosystem, democratising access, improving public services, cybersecurity, and driving economic growth. Key targets include: training 1 million AI professionals by 2030, creating 3.5 million AI-linked jobs, launching 50,000 AI-powered civic projects, developing 1,000 local AI products, offering 3,000 annual AI scholarships, funding 1,000 research projects, establishing an AI Innovation Fund and AI Venture Fund, and promoting inclusion of women and differently-abled individuals via accessible financing and education.

The goals include: “Establish a National AI Council and Master Plan to oversee AI rollout, focusing on cybersecurity via AI-driven threat detection and real-time response. Mandate transparency, ethics, and human oversight in critical AI ops, with a national registry for public sector AI systems and regular audits. Draft a National Data Security Policy. AI adoption could boost Pakistan’s GDP by 7-12% by 2030, unlocking a $2.7 billion market. Implement a National Authority Trust and Identity Management Policy for user authentication and accountability, devise privacy and security mechanisms for AI, and implement specialised data security protocols to protect against AI vulnerabilities.”

PM also reiterated support for Palestine, advocating for an immediate ceasefire and Palestinian rights at the UN General Assembly, and directed NDMA to send two relief consignments to Gaza via Egypt and Jordan. Shehbaz expressed pride in Pakistan’s global standing, crediting military professionalism and diplomatic efforts like Deputy PM Ishaq Dar’s US-France Conference participation. He praised Power Minister Sardar Owais Leghari, Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam, and the Army-led taskforce for negotiating an IPP deal, saving billions. He urged all ministries to match this high-performance standard.

He expressed grief over recent floods in Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab, calling for immediate relief. He paid tribute to sacrifices in the war against terrorism, especially in KP and Balochistan, calling peace and stability a “hard-earned national treasure.”