Ali Mustafa Dar appointed Adviser to Punjab CM on AI, Innovation

2026-02-09 - 19:16

LAHORE – Punjab government appointed Ali Mustafa Dar as Adviser to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives, effectively creating a new high-powered department to drive innovation, AI adoption, and future-focused projects across the province. Ali, who now holds the status and powers of a provincial cabinet minister, will also have the right to attend Punjab Assembly sessions. Sources say his mandate is ambitious: transform governance, create thousands of jobs, improve public service delivery, and integrate cutting-edge AI solutions into provincial operations. A science and technology prodigy, Ali studied Software Engineering at University College London (UCL) and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), after completing his early education at Aitchison College, Lahore. He moved to the UK in 2000 for higher education and built a stellar international career spanning over two decades. Since the PML-N’s 2024 electoral victory, Ali has worked quietly behind the scenes on pro-bono initiatives, leveraging his global network to attract top international business leaders to Pakistan, particularly in tech and real estate, and arranging high-profile visits to Islamabad and Lahore. Beyond business and technology, Ali is a passionate advocate for autism awareness. He has actively supported initiatives for children with autism and regularly highlights related issues on social media, inspired by his 18-year-old son Ibrahim, who has autism. Ali’s family ties further amplify his political influence. He is married to Asma Nawaz Sharif, daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and sister of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and is the eldest son of Senator Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister. The family lived together in the UK during the Sharifs’ exile before returning to Pakistan three years ago. In the private sector, Ali is the founder of HDS Group of Companies, a UAE-based conglomerate focused on real estate development, where he served as CEO until 2024. The company is now managed by his younger brother, Hasnain Dar. With Ali Mustafa Dar at the helm of AI and innovation in Punjab, experts predict a new era of technology-driven governance and global engagement for the province.