July 29, 2026, (Inside AI) — Pakistan’s ambition to build a competitive artificial intelligence ecosystem faces a foundational hurdle: its digital infrastructure is not yet ready for the AI era. That warning came directly from Awais Vohra, Chief Technology and AI Officer at PTML, during the GSMA Digital Nation Pakistan Ministerial Roundtable on Tuesday.
Speaking at a session titled “Building Trusted Digital Infrastructure for an AI-Driven Economy,” Vohra laid out a stark prerequisite. He argued that AI-driven economic growth depends entirely on strengthening the country’s digital foundations through sustained investments and long-term policy backing. Without those, Pakistan risks being left behind in the global AI race.
Vohra’s roadmap centers on three pillars: resilient infrastructure, predictable policy, and cross-sector collaboration. He stressed that digital connectivity, network modernization, and improved reliability require continuous financial commitment. But money alone is not enough.
“Predictable policy frameworks are absolutely critical to enabling these investments,” Vohra said. He singled out affordable devices and a reliable power grid as the fundamental building blocks of a successful digital ecosystem. This aligns with broader industry research showing that AI adoption in emerging markets often stalls due to energy instability and hardware access gaps. A recent GSMA report highlighted that consistent electricity and affordable smartphones are key enablers for digital transformation in South Asia.
Vohra welcomed recent spectrum reforms that paved the way for next-generation mobile services. Yet he cautioned that infrastructure alone is not a silver bullet. Security must be embedded from the start, not bolted on later. As AI becomes deeply woven into industries and society, cybersecurity and resilience must be built directly into the digital infrastructure from the very beginning.
“Cybersecurity and resilience must be built directly into the digital infrastructure from the very beginning,” Vohra emphasized. He called for regulatory frameworks that are forward-looking and innovation-friendly, actively facilitating emerging technologies while maintaining high standards of security and public trust. This dual mandate echoes the OECD AI Principles, which advocate for agile governance that fosters innovation and protects citizens.
The CTO’s vision extends beyond technology. He insisted that achieving these objectives requires close collaboration among government, regulators, telecom operators, technology providers, and development partners. This unified strategy, he argued, will strengthen the broader economy, accelerate digital growth, and promote ethical AI use. It will also deliver substantial benefits across critical sectors like education and healthcare, creating lasting value for businesses and communities.
Vohra’s remarks come at a pivotal moment. Pakistan’s digital economy is growing, but infrastructure gaps persist. The World Bank has noted that South Asia’s digital potential remains largely untapped due to fragmented policy and underinvestment. Vohra’s call to action is not just about AI readiness; it is about economic survival in an increasingly digital world.
