Pakistan to Establish AI and Robotics Centers, Ahsan Iqbal calls for Tech Revolution

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday unveiled plans to establish national centers for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, quantum computing, and nanotechnology.

Addressing a distinguished gathering of engineers, academics, and professionals to mark World Engineering Day, Prof. Iqbal emphasized that these centers are pivotal to transforming Pakistan into a technology-driven economy and achieving the government’s vision of a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035. He called for a national mission focused on innovation and export-led growth to ensure Pakistan’s relevance in the rapidly evolving global landscape.

Prof. Iqbal highlighted that engineering is fundamentally about innovation, transforming knowledge into practical solutions to tackle societal challenges. He stressed that despite having brilliant engineers, Pakistan lags behind in the Global Innovation Index, ranking 91st among 133 countries. This gap, he noted, can only be bridged by fostering a culture of continuous innovation and aligning engineering institutions with global standards.

The Minister announced a six-billion-rupee project to upgrade five leading engineering universities, including NED University in Karachi, UET Lahore, UET Peshawar, UET Khuzdar, and UET Taxila, to enhance research capabilities and develop state-of-the-art laboratories. This initiative aims to equip students and researchers with the skills needed to harness the potential of emerging technologies.

Prof. Iqbal also emphasized the importance of stability, continuity, reform, and unity for achieving technological advancements. He called on the engineering community to support the government’s mission to build a prosperous and technologically advanced Pakistan.

The event was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Engineer Farhat Adil, Institute of Engineers Pakistan Chairman Engineer Amir Zameer, and other senior engineers and young professionals from across the country.