Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has underscored the government’s approach to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency, transparency, strengthen revenue administration, and support evidence-based policymaking. The finance minister was speaking during a panel discussion titled “AI for Public Service Transformation and SDG Acceleration” at the National Artificial Intelligence Workshop held in Islamabad on Tuesday. Aurangzeb said that for Pakistan, the focus must remain on applied and practical AI solutions that deliver measurable gains in efficiency, transparency, and productivity, rather than adopting technology for its own sake. He noted that AI-enabled systems are playing an increasingly important role in improving compliance, enforcement, and decision-making across government institutions. Referring to the government’s ongoing tax transformation, the finance minister said the reform programme—anchored in improvements to people, processes, and technology—is utilising AI-driven customer relationship management systems, production monitoring, risk-based compliance tools, and faceless customer processes to enhance transparency, reduce leakages, and improve revenue outcomes. Aurangzeb stressed that limiting discretionary human intervention through technology is central to curbing inefficiencies and corruption, adding that AI-led systems have already produced tangible fiscal gains that would not have been possible through manual processes. During his address, the finance minister also highlighted the government’s approach to emerging digital assets, stating that the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority reflects the need to manage risks while integrating new technologies into the formal economy. He said bringing such activities into a regulated framework is essential for safeguarding financial stability and unlocking future economic potential. Addressing the broader digital economy, Aurangzeb emphasised the importance of investing in human capital and skills development to enable Pakistan’s youth to participate in higher-value segments of the global technology ecosystem.
Aurangzeb highlights role of AI in improving public service delivery
