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Pakistan has officially entered the trillion-dollar global semiconductor industry as Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif launched the National Semiconductor Initiative INSPIRE (Initiative to Nurture Semiconductor Professionals for Industry, Research & Education) in Islamabad. The program aims to make Pakistan self-reliant in technology and innovation, marking a major leap toward a knowledge-based digital economy.
Speaking at the launch, the Prime Minister said,
“Through this initiative, we are building the foundations of a new economic frontier where Pakistan contributes talent, technology, and innovation to the world.”
He praised the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for their efforts in making the initiative a reality.
Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, added that INSPIRE reflects the government’s vision for a “technology-driven, inclusive economy empowering youth and women with global innovation skills.”
The initiative, executed by PSEB under MoITT, aims to train 7,200 professionals over five years in semiconductor design, verification, and research. It will involve nine public-sector universities and establish six Integrated Circuit (IC) labs across Pakistan.
Chairman of the National Semiconductor Task Force, Dr. Naveed Sherwani, highlighted that INSPIRE is the first step toward developing a world-class semiconductor ecosystem, connecting academia, research, and industry. PSEB CEO Abu Bakar called it a cornerstone project for Pakistan’s indigenous technological growth.
With INSPIRE, Pakistan takes a defining step toward digital transformation and industrial innovation, positioning itself as a credible player in the global semiconductor market projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030.
