Ali Mustafa Dar Appointed Punjab CM’s AI Adviser

LAHORE: (Web Desk) – The Punjab provincial government has appointed Ali Mustafa Dar as Adviser to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives, the government confirmed on Sunday.

According to official sources, Ali will enjoy the status and powers of a provincial cabinet minister and is entitled to attend sessions of the Punjab Assembly.

In his new role, Ali Mustafa Dar will focus on designing and implementing forward-looking projects aimed at improving governance, enhancing public service delivery, and creating employment opportunities, with a strong emphasis on emerging technologies and AI-driven solutions.

Ali brings a robust academic and professional background in science and technology. After completing his schooling at Aitchison College, Lahore, he moved to the United Kingdom in 2000 for higher education, studying at University College London (UCL) and later earning a degree in Software Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).

Sources noted that since the PML-N formed the government following the 2024 general elections, Ali has been actively involved in pro-bono national initiatives behind the scenes.

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Beyond his professional engagements, Ali is a prominent advocate for autism awareness in Pakistan, often drawing on his personal experience as the father of his 18-year-old son, Ibrahim, who has autism. He has been associated with several initiatives supporting children with autism and has received widespread appreciation for his work.

Ali is married to Asma Nawaz Sharif, daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and sister of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He is also the eldest son of Senator Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Ali and his family spent several years in the United Kingdom before returning to Pakistan around three years ago.

In the private sector, Ali is the founder of HDS Group of Companies, a UAE-based conglomerate primarily focused on real estate development. He served as the group’s CEO until 2024, after which he relocated permanently to Pakistan. The company is now managed by his younger brother, Hasnain Dar.