LAHORE: In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s technology sector, a homegrown Urdu-based artificial intelligence model named Qalb has officially been introduced, signaling a major leap in localized AI innovation.
Developed under the leadership of Taimoor Hassan, a Pakistani student currently studying in the United States, Qalb is being hailed as the largest Large Language Model (LLM) ever created exclusively for the Urdu language.
Qalb has been trained on an extensive dataset of 1.97 billion tokens and rigorously tested across more than seven international benchmarking frameworks. According to its developers, the model surpasses existing Urdu-language AI systems in multiple real-world performance metrics, setting a new benchmark for natural language processing in Pakistan.
Taimoor Hassan is a young technology entrepreneur with an impressive track record, having founded and successfully exited 13 startups. A former Microsoft Cup winner, he has represented Pakistan on global platforms and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from FAAST University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University, where he continues to work on advanced AI-driven initiatives.
With over 230 million Urdu speakers worldwide, Qalb aims to close the long-standing language gap in artificial intelligence by enabling powerful, Urdu-first digital solutions. The model is designed to support a wide range of applications, including local businesses, startups, education platforms, digital services, and voice-based AI systems, fostering innovation across multiple sectors.
Reflecting on the achievement, Hassan said he views the project as part of a broader national mission. He credited his undergraduate teammates Jawad Ahmed and Muhammad Awais, emphasizing their shared commitment to refining domain-specific AI models tailored for Pakistan’s unique needs.
The Qalb team believes that impactful technological progress is no longer the exclusive domain of large corporations. With accessible tools, focused effort, and the right vision, small teams can now build intelligent systems capable of serving millions.
The introduction of Qalb positions Pakistan as an emerging force in regional AI development and paves the way for a new era of Urdu-centric digital experiences. Named after the Urdu word for “heart” (قلب), Qalb represents a bold step toward inclusive, language-aware artificial intelligence—built in Pakistan, for Pakistan, and beyond.
