PML-N Senator Proposes Bill to Regulate AI in Pakistan, Fines Up to Billions for Violations
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Afnan Ullah Khan has introduced a bill in the Senate aimed at regulating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pakistan to mitigate the associated risks, proposing hefty fines for violations. The proposed ‘Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2024’ was presented as a private member bill on August 9 and later referred to the Senate’s standing committee on information technology for further discussions on September 9.
Objectives of the Bill
In his statement, Senator Khan highlighted the urgent need to regulate the use of AI, citing the potential risks if left unchecked. He stressed the importance of human oversight to prevent unforeseen consequences and emphasized the development of a “secure and well-protected” AI system that could foster national growth and productivity.
The bill aims to regulate AI technologies at both national and international levels by overseeing the collection, dissemination, and use of data, ensuring transparency and safety in AI operations.
Key Provisions
The bill proposes the creation of a National Artificial Intelligence Commission, headquartered in Islamabad, to regulate AI technologies and ensure their safe application. Some of the main objectives and mandates of the commission include:
- Ensuring equal access to AI opportunities for all citizens, regardless of religion, gender, ethnicity, geography, financial status, or physical ability.
- Maintaining human supervision over AI in critical sectors like national security, health, and education.
- Ensuring AI systems are safe, secure, and free from errors and misuse.
- Developing a comprehensive AI research and development framework.
- Leveraging AI to improve public services such as healthcare, finance, trade, and science.
- Protecting the privacy and safety of users while promoting transparency in AI data collection, storage, and usage.
- Strengthening telecommunications, digital governance, and cybersecurity systems in the country.
The commission’s members, appointed by the government, will be prohibited from holding public or political office simultaneously to avoid conflicts of interest.
Penalties for Violations
Violations of the proposed regulations could result in fines ranging from Rs1.5 billion to Rs2.5 billion. The bill also includes provisions for even higher fines in cases involving the misuse or dissemination of sensitive or classified data. However, specific details about which violations would trigger these fines remain unclear.
The bill reflects growing concerns over the ethical use of AI and the need for a structured framework to manage its rapid development and deployment in Pakistan.
