Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on AI, International Cooperation & Special Initiatives Ali Dar has said that preserving truth and public trust is the biggest challenge facing journalism in the rapidly evolving age of artificial intelligence. With the ability to create fake videos and clone voices, verification of information and identification of facts have become more important than ever for journalists.
He expressed these views while addressing the Digital Sahafat Impact Event, organised by Google and Tech Valley in Lahore. Ali Dar said that more than 4,000 journalists and students across Pakistan have so far received training under the Digital Sahafat programme, including 846 participants from Punjab.
He said the programme has equipped journalists with access to modern AI tools and fact-verification techniques. Artificial intelligence can make research, transcription, translation and news verification faster and more effective. However, training, professional skills and integrity remain essential for the responsible use of technology.
Ali Dar said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif envisions transforming Punjab into South Asia’s leading AI-enabled province by 2029. In line with this vision, the Punjab government is working to expand AI capabilities across key sectors, from classrooms to newsrooms.
He emphasised that while AI is a powerful tool, the responsibility to distinguish truth from falsehood ultimately rests with journalists, guided by their professional values, ethics and integrity. The responsible use of AI can help Pakistani journalism compete internationally and take Pakistan’s stories to a wider global audience.
Commenting on the provincial government’s performance, Ali Dar said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government has established an impressive record of performance and project delivery over the past two and a half years. He added that even the government’s critics acknowledge that the performance of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s government has no parallel anywhere in Pakistan.
