Islamabad (GNP): National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the National Assembly aims to expand internship opportunities for students from Balochistan, speaking to a delegation of students participating in the five-day Digital Balochistan AI Launchpad Bootcamp at Parliament House.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani.
Speaker’s Remarks on Balochistan
Welcoming the students, Sadiq reflected on his long connection with Balochistan, recalling his first visit to the province in 1994 and describing it as one of Pakistan’s most important regions, citing the potential of the Reko Diq project to shape the country’s economic future. He said Balochistan has consistently remained a priority for him.
He noted that the National Assembly currently runs an internship program involving students from 21 universities across Pakistan, and that efforts are underway to expand opportunities specifically for students from Balochistan within this program.
On Learning and Parliamentary Knowledge
Sadiq spoke about the value of continuous learning, recalling that when he was first elected to the National Assembly in 2002, he had limited knowledge of the Constitution and worked to build his understanding by studying it closely alongside the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, which he said helped shape his grasp of parliamentary affairs over time.
Employment and Representation
He said the National Assembly maintains employment quotas for all provinces, along with dedicated opportunities for persons with disabilities, and is working to increase women’s representation in National Assembly employment to 30%.
He stressed that ensuring equal opportunities for young people remains essential to national development.
Briefing on AI in Parliament
During the visit, students were briefed on the National Assembly’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence and digital technology into parliamentary operations, including the introduction of Pakistan’s first AI-enabled parliamentary system.
This includes digitized parliamentary processes such as electronic access to agendas, bills, and reports, along with the distribution of digital tablets to members of the National Assembly as part of a broader shift toward paperless operations — reducing printing needs and improving administrative efficiency.
Sadiq said AI is helping improve efficiency across parliamentary research, legislation, and administrative processes, but emphasized that it serves as a tool to support human decision-making and creativity rather than replace it.
Digital Balochistan Bootcamp
During the meeting, Tech Valley Pakistan Founder and CEO Umar Farooq briefed the speaker on the Digital Balochistan AI Launchpad Bootcamp. Sadiq praised the initiative, commending the collaborative efforts of the Balochistan government.
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Tech Valley Pakistan, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan for their role in promoting AI education and equipping young people with relevant future-focused skills.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
