ISLAMABAD: The launch of Pakistan’s first locally hosted artificial intelligence (AI) data centre and sovereign AI cloud by Telenor, in collaboration with Data Vault, is expected to significantly accelerate AI adoption across multiple sectors, including healthcare, finance, public safety, and government services, while also enhancing cybersecurity and ensuring data transparency.
This initiative introduces advanced computing capabilities to Pakistani enterprises by offering access to Nvidia enterprise-grade graphics processing units (GPUs) for high-performance AI applications. The presence of these GPUs locally allows organizations to leverage cutting-edge AI infrastructure without relying on foreign data centres.
The development is particularly significant in the context of global restrictions on Nvidia’s AI chips. The United States has limited Nvidia exports, particularly to China, amid ongoing trade tensions, which has affected the global availability of these high-performance GPUs. However, Data Vault has obtained special approval from Nvidia, enabling Pakistan to access these critical AI resources legally.
Global GPU shortages, coupled with high import costs, have historically constrained Pakistan’s adoption of enterprise-grade AI. By establishing a sovereign AI cloud powered by Nvidia GPUs, this project overcomes such limitations, offering local organizations a compliant, secure, and high-performance computing environment.
Unlocking AI Potential Across Industries
The AI data centre aims to upgrade adoption in critical sectors, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, public safety, logistics, agriculture, and government services. By providing GPU-powered computing and a compliance-ready cloud environment, modern AI applications—ranging from predictive analytics to automated diagnostics—can be deployed entirely within Pakistan.
Mehwish Salman Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Data Vault, stated that Data Vault Pakistan is the only AI-enabled data centre in the country offering GPU services. “We have obtained over 3,000 GPUs for enterprise use, which allows us to provide AI infrastructure as a service,” she explained. This distinction makes the facility the nation’s first local centre capable of supporting advanced AI workloads.
Ms. Ali further emphasized that their approval from Nvidia involved rigorous technical, compliance, and financial checks. “There is a global shortage of GPUs, and US export-control sanctions restrict Pakistan’s access. Our project went through strict multi-year verification and was approved via authorised Nvidia partners,” she said.
GPU technology, a specialised electronic circuit designed for accelerating digital image processing and computer graphics, is central to modern AI. GPUs are available on discrete graphics cards or embedded in motherboards, personal computers, mobile devices, and game consoles. Through this partnership, Telenor customers will also gain on-demand access to GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), allowing enterprises to scale AI operations efficiently.
Sovereign Cloud Enhances Data Security
The introduction of locally hosted GPU infrastructure strengthens Pakistan’s cybersecurity and data sovereignty. Sensitive datasets—including financial transactions, healthcare imaging, telecom records, and government data—will now remain within national borders, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized international access.
By hosting AI workloads entirely within the country, the sovereign cloud supports auditability, transparency, access control, identity management, privacy, and digital trust. Enterprises and public institutions will no longer rely on offshore cloud services, which may compromise security and compliance.
This initiative is also expected to accelerate the development of large language models (LLMs) for Urdu and regional languages. Pakistani startups, universities, and enterprises can now create sector-specific AI models for fintech, healthcare, education, and other industries while adhering to national data protection regulations.
Overcoming Historical Challenges
Prior to this launch, Pakistani organizations primarily depended on offshore cloud regions for AI workloads, which limited performance and raised concerns about data governance. Although sovereign cloud services exist under state-owned PTCL and the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), GPU-enabled AI infrastructure was previously unavailable within Pakistan.
By establishing the first AI-ready data centre, Telenor and Data Vault are addressing these limitations. This provides enterprises with a secure, high-performance, and legally compliant environment to develop AI solutions across diverse sectors.
Ms. Ali highlighted the significance of multi-year planning and sustained commitment to achieving GPU approval. “We began this process early, engaged with authorized Nvidia partners, and successfully navigated strict compliance requirements, resulting in approval for our AI data centre,” she added.
Sectoral Implications
- Healthcare: AI-powered diagnostics, imaging analysis, and predictive health models will benefit from local GPU access, ensuring sensitive medical data remains within Pakistan.
- Finance: Banks and fintech firms can leverage AI for fraud detection, credit scoring, and personalized financial services while adhering to strict data privacy regulations.
- Public Safety: Law enforcement and disaster management agencies can implement AI-driven surveillance, risk prediction, and resource allocation models without relying on foreign cloud providers.
- Manufacturing and Logistics: AI can optimize production lines, supply chains, and inventory management, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
- Agriculture: Precision farming, crop monitoring, and climate prediction models will now be deployable locally, promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
- Government Services: AI-powered citizen services, data analytics, and policy planning will benefit from local processing, ensuring sensitive government data remains secure.
Strategic Advantages
The AI data centre also positions Pakistan to capitalize on global AI trends. By hosting enterprise-grade GPUs locally, the country can compete internationally in AI research and development, attract technology investments, and support AI-driven innovation in key sectors.
Furthermore, keeping data within national borders mitigates the risk of foreign surveillance, enhances national digital sovereignty, and builds public trust in technology adoption. Localized AI infrastructure ensures that sensitive data, such as government records, financial transactions, and healthcare imaging, is protected under national cybersecurity laws.
Future Outlook
As AI becomes an integral part of industry transformation worldwide, Pakistan’s first sovereign AI cloud provides a foundation for sustainable digital growth. The collaboration between Telenor and Data Vault exemplifies how strategic partnerships can overcome global supply constraints, navigate export restrictions, and deliver critical infrastructure to drive technological progress.
By integrating Nvidia enterprise GPUs and offering GPUaaS, the project empowers startups, universities, and enterprises to develop AI solutions tailored to local needs. This will further support innovation in sectors such as fintech, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and public services, while enhancing cybersecurity and compliance with national regulations.
The AI data centre is also expected to inspire other technology investments, foster AI research in local universities, and accelerate Pakistan’s participation in the global AI ecosystem. By hosting AI workloads locally, the country is taking a critical step toward digital sovereignty, technological self-reliance, and economic growth.
Conclusion
The launch of Pakistan’s first locally hosted AI data centre and sovereign AI cloud marks a historic milestone in the country’s technological development. By providing enterprise-grade GPUs, ensuring data remains within national borders, and supporting AI adoption across multiple sectors, this initiative strengthens cybersecurity, promotes compliance, and accelerates innovation.
With Data Vault and Telenor leading this effort, Pakistan now possesses the infrastructure necessary to leverage AI responsibly and strategically, ensuring that both public and private sectors benefit from secure, high-performance computing capabilities. This project lays the foundation for future AI-driven growth, research, and innovation, positioning Pakistan as an emerging hub for artificial intelligence in the region.
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