Business
MoITT to build apps for ministries | The Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD:
The government has directed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) to focus on developing commercial applications and stop working on building AI platforms.
It has also instructed the ministry to harness AI technology to create tailor-made applications for ministries and divisions, streamlining work processes, making them more efficient, and enabling better management of government business.
In July, the cabinet approved the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025 and issued several directions for its use.
During the discussion, cabinet members appreciated MoITT’s efforts in devising the policy. Members also gave suggestions to make the framework more robust and meaningful in Pakistan’s social and national context. The prime minister commended MoITT, noting that while change often brings challenges, AI is the need of the time, and the policy is a step in the right direction.
The cabinet directed that the AI Policy should focus on developing commercial applications rather than investing in platforms. It also acknowledged that AI adoption in workplaces could lead to job losses and stressed the need to reskill workers at risk. To meet growing demand for an AI-skilled workforce, the policy should ensure universities produce adequate numbers of AI graduates. AI basics should also be introduced at the school level to orient children from an early age.
The cabinet further asked MoITT to ensure AI benefits are not restricted to the elite and that no rural-urban divide emerges from the adoption of new technologies.
MoITT, in coordination with the Finance and Planning Divisions, was tasked with ensuring resources for meeting the policy’s goals. The ministry was also directed to prioritise work on the Cloud Policy.
MoITT briefed the cabinet that Pakistan’s IT sector is experiencing remarkable growth and has become a key driver of economic development. The industry has consistently shown resilience and innovation, with exports recording strong double-digit growth in recent years.
This trajectory highlights Pakistan’s growing global presence and its potential to contribute further to national prosperity. The country stands at a crucial juncture in the global technological landscape, with emerging technologies showing strong promise and positioning Pakistan as a potential tech destination.
The cabinet was apprised that emerging technologies, including AI, are becoming increasingly critical for the IT sector and carry strategic national importance. AI is rapidly reshaping industries worldwide, with applications in agriculture, logistics, smart cities, manufacturing, energy, and healthcare. While AI offers significant opportunities for growth, it also carries risks. Many countries are developing policies and regulations to maximise benefits while minimising potential downsides.
The cabinet was informed that, according to industry estimates, the global AI market size is expected to surpass $1.8 trillion by 2030. Officials emphasised that this is the right time for Pakistan to adopt an overarching approach to AI. With rapid global advances, Pakistan needs a comprehensive policy to harness AI’s potential while addressing challenges.
MoITT had already initiated work on drafting the National AI Policy to capture opportunities and prepare for risks. As part of an open process, the draft was developed with input from ministries, public sector entities, and provincial governments. It was also published on the ministry’s website for public comment. An inclusive committee, comprising representatives from the public and private sectors, industry, and academia, finalised the draft after reviews and incorporating stakeholder feedback.
The cabinet was informed that the draft National AI Policy is based on six pillars: AI Innovation Ecosystem, Awareness and Readiness, Secure AI Ecosystem, Transformation and Evolution, AI Infrastructure, and International Partnerships and Collaborations.
The policy will act as a guiding framework, coordinating scattered initiatives and fostering new ones across sectors. Current AI development efforts remain fragmented, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
A unified policy will align investments in research, talent, infrastructure, and ethical guidelines, creating an environment conducive to innovation. It will also encourage collaboration between academia, industry, and government, ensuring AI solutions are tailored to Pakistan’s unique needs and challenges.
President Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to overturn a lower court decision that found many of his sweeping tariffs were illegal.
In a petition filed late on Wednesday, the administration asked the justices to quickly intervene to rule that the president has the power to impose such import taxes on foreign nations.
A divided US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit last week ruled 7-4 that the tariffs Trump brought in through an emergency economic powers act did not fall within the president’s mandate and that setting levies was “a core Congressional power”.
The case could upend Trump’s economic and foreign policy agenda and force the US to refund billions in tariffs.
Trump had justified the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which gives the president the power to act against “unusual and extraordinary” threats.
In April, Trump declared an economic emergency, arguing that a trade imbalance had undermined domestic manufacturing and was harmful to national security.
While the appellate court ruled against the president, it postponed its decision from taking effect, allowing the Trump administration time to file an appeal.
In Wednesday’s night’s filing, Solicitor General John Sauer wrote that the lower court’s “erroneous decision has disrupted highly impactful, sensitive, ongoing diplomatic trade negotiations, and cast a pall of legal uncertainty over the President’s efforts to protect our country by preventing an unprecedented economic and foreign policy crisis”.
If the Supreme Court justices deny the review, the ruling could take effect on 14 October.
In May, the New York-based Court of International Trade declared the tariffs were unlawful. That decision was also put on hold during the appeal process.
The rulings came in response to lawsuits filed by small businesses and a coalition of US states opposing the tariffs.
In April, Trump signed executive orders imposing a baseline 10% tariff as well as “reciprocal” tariffs intended to correct trade imbalances on more than 90 countries.
In addition to those tariffs, the appellate court ruling also strikes down levies on Canada, Mexico and China, which Trump argues are necessary to stop the importation of drugs.
The decision does not apply to some other US duties, like those imposed on steel and aluminium, which were brought in under a different presidential authority.
A new set of stamps is being issued to celebrate the diverse range of wild and domesticated ducks found in the UK.
The stamps have images of 10 duck species and breeds including goosander, Indian runner, mallard duckling, aylesbury and the eider.
Royal Mail worked with Steve Ormerod, Professor of Ecology, Water Research Institute/Cardiff School of Biosciences at Cardiff University, and waterfowl author, Dr Chris Ashton, on the stamps.
There are more than 120 species of duck worldwide, including 22 found in the UK.
David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, said: “We are pleased to showcase the beauty and variety of wild and domesticated duck species found across the UK, celebrating our rich wetland wildlife.
“Most of us will recognise some of the ducks on these stamps but we hope that the set will help to raise awareness of the less well-known species.”
Mr Ormerod said: “The UK’s wild ducks are among the most elegant of all our birds. Their diversity of life histories, behaviours and calls evokes the character of habitats ranging from local ponds, lochans and lakes to rivers, wetlands and coasts.
“Ducks have also played a central role in the human history of animal domestication – for example for food, pest control or as protected ‘rare breeds’. This spectrum from cultural connection to wilderness is celebrated in this beautiful collection of Royal Mail stamps.”
The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from today and go on general sale from September 11.
NEW DELHI: The govt expects businesses to pass on the benefit of lower goods and services tax (GST) to consumers and the states and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC) and Customs will engage with industry on the issue. “…last time, industry had passed on the benefits of rate cuts and you would have seen that a lot of industry have come out and committed to transmitting this benefit… we will engage with industry and ensure that benefits are given to the consumers,” revenue secretary Arvind Shrivastava said at a press conference.There are indications that industry will respond positively. “CII strongly holds the view that industry would swiftly pass the benefits to the consumers and partner with govt to ensure a smooth, timely rollout that lifts demand and supports jobs,” industry body CII said in a statement within minutes of the announcement. When GST was introduced in 2017, the govt had put in place an anti-profiteering provision, which pushed industry to pass on the benefits. While the anti-profiteering agency has been disbanded, the provision still sits in the statutes.Shrivastava, however, suggested that industry was largely compliant, pointing out that 704 cases (60%) were registered in the initial years of GST, with alleged profiteering of Rs 4,362 crore. Shrivastava also said that CBIC will issue guidance on transition for goods that have already been sourced and are lying with dealers and distributors. A govt official said that goods that are in stock and will see reduction in GST will have to be sold at the new tax rate after Sept 22, but businesses will be able to get credit for it.
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