The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) issued a landmark notification making a three-credit-hour course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) mandatory for every undergraduate and postgraduate degree programme in the country. This directive applies to all public and private higher education institutions, with implementation set to begin in the Fall 2026 academic session. The move follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent announcement of a $1 billion investment in Pakistan’s national AI ecosystem by 2030.
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In a formal letter to vice-chancellors, the HEC emphasized that AI literacy is no longer an optional skill but a critical necessity. The curriculum will not be “one-size-fits-all”; instead, universities have been granted the flexibility to offer AI as an elective, an interdisciplinary module, or a supporting subject tailored to specific fields like healthcare, agriculture, or business. The core focus will include foundational concepts, ethical responsibility, data privacy, and the societal impact of automation on the global workforce.
HEC directs universities to introduce mandatory AI course from Fall 2026https://t.co/kzoBSJs5qe#HEC pic.twitter.com/kyHTZuKabZ
— The_Nation (@The_Nation) February 19, 2026
This initiative aligns Pakistan’s education system with international standards, ensuring that graduates are prepared for a digital economy. The HEC has instructed all institutions to begin curriculum development immediately to meet the Fall 2026 deadline.
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