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THE Prime Minister’s Office has announced the introduction of an AI-powered digital system and directed ministries to replace paper-based processes with digital workflows. Finally, it has been acknowledged that Pakistan’s bureaucracy cannot continue to rely on endless files, handwritten notes and slow-moving paperwork while governments elsewhere are embracing digital tools. Yet the real significance of the move lies not in the adoption of AI itself, but in whether it helps transform the way government functions. Pakistan has too often treated technology as a solution in its own right. New portals, mobile applications and digital platforms have frequently been launched with much fanfare, only to disappoint because the underlying administrative culture remained unchanged. If departments continue to operate in isolation, if officials remain reluctant to share information, if decisions remain tied up in overlapping approvals and if public records are poorly maintained, AI will merely automate existing weaknesses rather than eliminate them. Successful digital transformation begins with reliable data, clearly defined responsibilities and institutions willing to rethink how they work.
