'Urdu AI model Buraq to keep data at home'

Pakistan is developing Buraq, a large language model for Urdu and regional languages, alongside domestic computing capacity intended to keep Pakistani data within the country. The Express Tribune reported that the federal IT and telecom minister outlined the initiative at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in Seoul. The minister described Buraq and public computing resources as the artificial-intelligence component of a broader digital programme.

The programme also includes online identity verification, Raast payments, secure data exchange, a citizen Super App and an open-data platform, with the National Data Governance Policy providing safeguards. The National Database and Registration Authority’s identity services cover more than 100 million Pakistanis, while Raast is operated by the State Bank. The minister argued that these underlying systems need to be in place before AI applications can expand and earn public trust.