Press Release Title: Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication presiding over a meeting of the Committee at Parliament House, Islamabad

Press Release Date: 31st July, 2025

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was held today at Parliament House, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan. The Committee held in-depth discussions on critical matters, including the "Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2024," AI capacity building, the quality of Telecom Services, raids on illegal Call Centers, and Pakistan’s progress in Chip Design and Language Modeling. The Committee reviewed the proposed AI legislation, introduced by Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, which aims to establish a legal and ethical framework for the responsible development and use of AI technologies in the country. In light of the global shift toward emerging technologies, the Committee stressed the urgency of AI regulation. The Secretary of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) informed members that a newly created Emerging Technology Wing has been tasked with accelerating innovation across four major areas: Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Cybersecurity, and Quantum Technologies. Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee questioned the Ministry’s financial capacity to support these efforts, to which the Secretary responded that Rs. 16 billion had been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for FY2024–25.    A robust debate followed regarding the Ministry’s collaboration with Jazz and NUST University on Pakistan’s first indigenous Large Language Model (LLM). Senator Dr. Mohammad Humayun Mohmand strongly questioned the basis for selecting these partners, noting that other institutions had been overlooked. The Secretary clarified that Jazz and NUST were not officially selected by the Ministry but had taken the initiative and are independently financing the project. In response to further inquiries by Senator Afnan Ullah Khan, the Secretary confirmed that no public funds were involved. Senator Mohmand recommended that the opportunity be publicly advertised to allow wider participation, a suggestion the Secretary agreed to, stating that universities nationwide are now being invited to express interest.   During the briefing, Jazz representatives emphasized the threat to local languages and explained that the LLM aims to revitalize native linguistic heritage, though they cited data collection as a major obstacle. The Secretary also updated the committee on semiconductor development, reporting that 12 companies are currently involved in chip design, and 7,000 bachelor-level students are being trained in practical tech skills, positioning Pakistan to become a leader in this field.    The Director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) delivered a detailed briefing on recent crackdowns against illegal Call Centers operating across the country. A total of 54 Call Centers were raided nationwide, resulting in the arrest of 254 individuals, with Islamabad witnessing the highest number of operations. These Call Centers typically employed between 300 and 400 individuals and used sophisticated methods to defraud people, including the creation of fake social media profiles—often posing as women—to lure victims into financial scams.   Victims were enticed with fake income screenshots and promises of high returns on investments. Once trust was established, they were diverted to Telegram channels, where larger-scale scams took place. The Director explained that the funds obtained through these fraudulent activities were frequently converted into cryptocurrency and moved abroad, making enforcement and recovery highly challenging.    The Committee raised concerns regarding fairness and inclusivity in national technology initiatives. Members stressed the importance of ensuring transparency in all public–private partnerships, particularly in the development of national AI models. It was recommended that all capable universities and private-sector entities be given equal opportunity to participate in such projects.   The Committee also urged greater action against cyber fraud, calling for the creation of stronger legal frameworks to effectively prosecute organized digital crimes. Members emphasized the need for sustained investment in emerging technologies and digital skills training while ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of AI-related funding. Chairperson Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan concluded the meeting by reaffirming the Committee’s continued commitment to effective oversight, enhanced digital security, and inclusive, forward-looking technological growth in Pakistan.