Islamabad: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), in partnership with Meta, has announced the launch of ALIF, an Urdu version of Meta AI, marking a significant step in advancing digital transformation in Pakistan. The initiative, revealed at the “Future in Focus: AI and Innovation” event, aims to enhance accessibility and engagement with technology across the nation, aligning with the government’s digital vision.

The event gathered government officials, industry leaders, and academic representatives to discuss strategies for boosting artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, highlighted the government’s commitment to making technology inclusive and accessible, emphasizing that the introduction of ALIF is a milestone in this effort.

Meta’s expansion of its AI language capabilities to include Urdu allows Pakistani users to interact with Meta AI in their native language, thereby facilitating better information access and communication. Sarim Aziz, Director of Public Policy South and Central Asia at Meta, expressed the company’s dedication to supporting Pakistan’s AI-driven growth and innovation, noting that this development opens new opportunities for local communities.

Additionally, Meta introduced a localized version of the “Transforming Public Sector Innovation in Asia Pacific with Llama” guide. Developed with Deloitte and supported by the Ministry, this guide demonstrates how Meta’s open-source AI model, Llama, can streamline government operations and enhance public services.

The event also spotlighted an AI Literacy Programme, launched earlier this year in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the National Computing and Emerging Sciences Accreditation Council (NCEAC), and Atomcamp. The initiative aims to upskill 350 non-Computer Science faculty members across Pakistani universities, expanding AI knowledge beyond traditional computer science disciplines.

Fizza Amjad, CEO of Atomcamp, emphasized the impact of equipping educators with AI knowledge, highlighting its potential to influence thousands of students and strengthen the connection between academia and industry. This effort is seen as a critical step toward building a more AI-literate academic ecosystem in Pakistan.