Islamabad (Staff Reporter)
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has termed the launch of Pakistan’s first-ever National Semiconductor Program (NSP) as a “historic milestone” and a “critical need of the time,” asserting that nations mastering semiconductors and artificial intelligence will shape the future global order.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the Inspire Initiative on Tuesday in Islamabad, the Prime Minister emphasized the program as a transformative step toward empowering Pakistan’s youth and securing the country’s digital future. He highlighted the government’s commitment to allocating further resources to support the initiative, which has already been granted Rs. 4.5 billion under the Public Sector Development Program.
“The semiconductor program is not just about technology—it’s about our future, our youth, and our national sovereignty. Those who lead in AI and semiconductors will lead the world,” said the Prime Minister. He added that Pakistan must utilize its natural resources and human capital to keep pace with global technological advancements.
The event was attended by key government figures, including Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and others, along with renowned tech experts like Dr. Naveed Sherwani, who played a vital role in the program’s development.
Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja called it a “landmark day,” stating that the NSP, under the Prime Minister’s digital vision, is not just a technology project but a foundation for economic independence and technological self-reliance. As part of the five-year plan, 7,200 youth will be trained in cutting-edge semiconductor technologies, nine university clusters will be established, and six integrated circuit labs will be built.
The Prime Minister also spoke about broader efforts under the Digital Pakistan Vision, including the digitization of FBR, promotion of a cashless economy, and the launch of digital wallets—highlighting the Ramadan program where Rs. 20 billion were directly transferred to beneficiaries via digital means, eliminating corruption-prone practices.
Dr. Naveed Sherwani underlined that semiconductors are essential for future cybersecurity and economic progress, adding that cooperation with countries like Saudi Arabia will be crucial in this sector.
With the Inspire Initiative now officially launched under the Ministry of IT & Telecom and executed by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan has formally entered the global semiconductor market, currently valued at over $600 billion, expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030.
The first phase of the NSP will focus on outsourced assembly, testing, and fabrication capabilities, aiming to integrate Pakistan into the global semiconductor supply chain and secure a solid position in the international technology ecosystem.