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By Sabeeh Zanair :
The National Assembly of Pakistan on Tuesday introduced Pakistan’s first artificial intelligence-enabled parliamentary system, in what officials described as a major step towards creating a modern, paperless, and more efficient legislature.
Speaking at the soft launch ceremony, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the integration of artificial intelligence into parliamentary operations was essential in the modern era and would help improve the overall functioning of the institution.
“Modern technology improves institutional performance,” the speaker said, adding that digital systems had already helped reduce delays associated with physical file movement while increasing transparency, efficiency, and speed in parliamentary affairs.
Move Towards a Paperless Parliament
Sadiq said members of the National Assembly had shown growing interest in adopting digital tools during parliamentary proceedings. He noted that the assembly was gradually moving towards a fully paperless working environment through a phased implementation process.
As part of the initiative, parliamentary documents, including budget papers and legislative material, are being shifted to digital platforms to minimise reliance on printed documents.
The speaker described the move as a historic transition for Pakistan’s parliament, particularly after proceedings were recently conducted in a paperless environment for the first time.
The development comes amid broader efforts by the government to modernise public institutions through digital transformation and automation.
AI to Support Legislative Work
According to the speaker, the introduction of AI technology will provide lawmakers with improved support in legislative drafting, parliamentary research, and administrative functions.
Officials believe the use of artificial intelligence can help streamline parliamentary workflows, improve document management, and assist lawmakers in accessing legislative information more efficiently.
The system is also expected to support faster communication, digital recordkeeping, and enhanced institutional coordination within the assembly.
Collaboration With IT Ministry and NITB
Sadiq praised the role of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and the National Information Technology Board for their support in implementing the initiative.
He said both institutions had played an important role in advancing digitisation across state departments and strengthening technological infrastructure within the National Assembly.
The speaker also announced that dedicated funds had been allocated for the establishment of a modern data centre inside the National Assembly to support digital operations and future technological expansion.
Training and Capacity Building
To support the transition, training programmes are also being conducted for staff members of the assembly’s IT directorate in collaboration with the Ministry of IT and NITB.
Officials said the training aims to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure that parliamentary staff can effectively manage and operate the new digital systems.
The initiative reflects Pakistan’s increasing focus on digital governance, automation, and the use of emerging technologies in public sector institutions.
Observers say the launch of the AI-enabled parliamentary system could pave the way for wider technological reforms in other government departments in the future.
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