ISLAMABAD: The Margalla Dialogue 2025, organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), brought together policymakers and intellectuals to discuss AI, regional integration, and national security. Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan is committed to embracing the AI revolution through a national roadmap. The session also examined regional connectivity, Afghanistan’s stability, and Pakistan’s soft and hard power.
The dialogue emphasized technology’s role in governance and defense. Minister Khawaja noted that AI is reshaping global competition and modern warfare. She highlighted Pakistan’s focus on innovation, software and hardware production, and support for startups and technical experts to strengthen the national digital ecosystem.
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Experts stressed the need for safeguards and international consensus on AI. Brig (retd) Dr. Raashid Wali Janjua explained autonomous weapon systems and AI-driven combat are changing warfare globally. He called for legal and technical measures, including “kill switches,” to maintain human oversight over AI-enabled systems. Siddique Humayun added that AI influences data, narratives, financial markets, and decision-making worldwide.
Speakers connected technology with Pakistan’s soft and strategic power. Veteran intellectual Javed Jabbar urged promoting humanitarian actions and positive storytelling to strengthen Pakistan’s global image. Lt Gen (retd) Aamer Riaz stressed balancing soft and hard power to advance national interests. Water management and regional cooperation were highlighted by Indus Water Commissioner Syed Mehar Ali Shah.
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Regional integration and stability in Afghanistan were key concerns. Ambassador Asif Durrani and former Gen. Ehsanul Haq discussed Afghanistan’s instability obstructing regional linkages. Kazakhstan’s envoy proposed trade corridors linking Pakistan to Central Asia. Former Afghan diplomat Idrees Zaman urged a home-grown Afghan stability process to promote peace, predictability, and collective engagement in the region.