Sindh Population Welfare Dept launches country’s first official AI call assistant
KARACHI:
The Sindh Population Welfare Department has introduced modern digital tools to provide confidential guidance on family planning by launching a mobile application, a chatbot and Pakistan’s first government-run AI call assistant. The platforms aim to help citizens access accurate information on contraceptive services through phone calls and digital channels while ensuring complete privacy. The application and AI call assistant will be formally launched on January 15.
Officials shared these details during a briefing with Express News at the department’s office on Tuesday. Deputy Principal of the Regional Training Institute Karachi, Dr Saima Sarwar, said the chatbot and AI call assistant would allow citizens to ask questions via phone calls or digital platforms without disclosing their identity or sharing personal data. She said the AI system has been designed to provide medically verified information while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Dr Sarwar explained that the platform would guide users on the range of contraceptive methods available and help them understand which options may be more suitable for specific individuals or women, as not all methods work equally well for everyone. Detailed information on possible side effects will also be provided. She added that the AI call assistant will differentiate between short-term and long-term contraceptive options and suggest appropriate methods based on a user’s health profile. For individuals with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or other chronic illnesses, the system will offer tailored guidance on safe and suitable options.
She noted that the chatbot and AI assistant are medically updated, with questions and responses prepared by medical experts. If required, users will be referred to relevant population welfare centers or medical specialists. Calling it Pakistan’s first official AI call assistant, Dr Sarwar expressed hope that other provinces would replicate the initiative.
App designer Afzal Kamrani said the Secretary of the Sindh Population Welfare Department initially tasked him with developing the application and chatbot, followed by the idea of introducing an AI call assistant. He said he was instructed to incorporate features that had not previously been introduced at either the provincial or federal level. While chatbots exist in some institutions, Kamrani said no government department in Pakistan had previously launched an AI call assistant.
He said the app includes a live meter displaying the duration and effectiveness of various contraceptive methods. The portal also provides comprehensive information on all available options, including potential side effects, and allows users to securely store medical reports. A map feature enables users to locate nearby public and private centers within a 50-kilometer radius.
Kamrani added that users can also submit personal queries through email or online forms, while the app includes options for volunteering, donations and partnerships. Future plans include adding doctors’ details, contact information and online appointment booking, along with integration of the app, website and e-monitoring system into a single platform.
Director Communication and Training Shah Faisal said the department has long pursued effective reforms and was among the first to introduce modern contraceptive methods and electronic medical records. Secretary Hafeezullah Abbasi said the initiative marks a revolutionary step and will eventually be developed into a comprehensive “super app.”
