Pakistan Starts Nationwide Push to Develop Semiconductor Engineering Talent

Pakistan’s push to develop semiconductor expertise is starting to take shape. During the 18th National Assembly Standing Committee meeting, the Pakistan Software Export Board outlined its National Semiconductor Plan, focusing on building skilled professionals in chip design and verification.

The initiative comes as global demand for semiconductor engineers continues to rise. PSEB, operating under the Ministry of IT and Telecom, has adopted a phased strategy that starts small and scales nationwide.

Pilot Program with NUST Sets the Foundation

PSEB launched its first pilot project in partnership with NUST. The goal is to test training models before a national rollout. The pilot carries a budget of Rs. 34 million and targets 60 engineering graduates. Training runs for 22 weeks. Each trainee receives a monthly stipend of PKR 70,000.

Training is already underway. The program focuses on chip design and verification skills. It also gives universities hands-on exposure to modern semiconductor tools.

According to PSEB, this pilot is creating Pakistan’s first semiconductor-ready workforce. It also lays the groundwork for larger capacity-building efforts.

INSPIRE Program Scales the Vision Nationwide

To expand beyond the pilot, PSEB has launched INSPIRE under the Public Sector Development Program. The initiative has an approved cost of Rs. 4.844 billion.

INSPIRE represents Pakistan’s largest investment in semiconductor human capital to date. The program includes three core components:

• Semiconductor Education and Research Clusters (SERCS) to train 2,200 BS and MS students
• Up-Skilling Training Programs (USTP) targeting 5,000 trainees in advanced semiconductor tracks
• Centralized EDA tool licenses for shared use across universities and training labs

The initial rollout for FY 2025–26 includes three operational SERC labs. It also includes 785 USTP trainings and nationwide EDA infrastructure deployment.

Global Leadership and Industry Alignment

The program operates under a high-powered Steering Committee. Dr. Naveed Sherwani chairs the committee. Dr. Sherwani is a globally recognized semiconductor expert. He brings deep experience in chip design, RISC-V, and startup ecosystems. His leadership aligns the program with international industry standards and best practices.

Together, the NUST pilot and INSPIRE form a unified national strategy. The plan aims to supply skilled professionals to global ecosystems. Target markets include Japan, South Korea, the United States, China, Europe, and GCC countries. The initiative also supports future phases of the National Semiconductor Plan.

These future phases may include OSAT capabilities and eventual fabrication-related activities.

Key Takeaways

• The NUST pilot with 60 trainees is already operational and producing skilled professionals
• INSPIRE carries a Rs. 4.844 billion budget and targets 7,200 trained professionals over five years
• Dr. Naveed Sherwani leads the Steering Committee to ensure global-quality outcomes
• The plan addresses global talent shortages and supports foreign investment

With this structured approach, Pakistan is positioning itself as an emerging player in the global semiconductor talent supply chain.