“National Innovation Drive: Pakistan to Establish AI and Robotics Centers” Prof Ahsan Iqbal Calls for Tech Revolution on World Engineering Day
“National Innovation Drive: Pakistan to Establish AI and Robotics Centers” Prof Ahsan Iqbal Calls for Tech Revolution on World Engineering Day
March 4, 2025. Islamabad: On the occasion of World Engineering Day, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, addressed a distinguished gathering of engineers, academics, and professionals, emphasizing the critical role of engineering and innovation in Pakistan’s development. Prof. Iqbal highlighted that engineering is one of the oldest professions, deeply intertwined with the progress of human civilization, and remains a cornerstone of development in modern times.
Prof Iqbal noted that engineering is fundamentally a profession of innovation, where knowledge is transformed into practical solutions to address societal challenges. From ancient marvels to modern advancements in telecommunications, transportation, and industrial development, engineers have consistently driven progress. In Pakistan, he pointed out, the contributions of engineers are evident in projects like the Tarbela and Mangla Dams, the Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project, motorways, and the country’s robust telecommunications infrastructure. He also highlighted the role of engineers in strengthening Pakistan’s defense capabilities, including the development of the JF-17 Thunder aircraft and nuclear technology.
However, Prof. Iqbal expressed concern over Pakistan’s lagging position in the global innovation index, ranking 91st among 133 countries. He compared this to neighboring countries like India and Turkey, which rank significantly higher, and stressed the urgent need for Pakistan to embrace a culture of continuous innovation. He cited examples of global technological leaders such as South Korea, Japan, and China, whose economic success is rooted in their commitment to technology-driven growth. Prof. Iqbal lamented that despite having brilliant minds and capable engineers, Pakistan has not been able to align itself with the pace of global development. He attributed this to gaps in engineering education, industry practices, and a lack of focus on fostering innovation.
The Minister called for a comprehensive overhaul of Pakistan’s engineering education and industry ecosystem to promote innovation and competitiveness. He emphasized the importance of aligning engineering institutions with global standards and equipping them with state-of-the-art facilities.
Prof. Iqbal highlighted the government’s initiative to upgrade five leading engineering universities, including NED University in Karachi, UET Lahore, UET Peshawar, UET Khuzdar, and UET Taxila, with a six-billion-rupee project aimed at modernizing laboratories and fostering research excellence. He stressed that while the government can provide the necessary infrastructure, it is up to universities, faculty, and students to create a culture of innovation and excellence.
Prof. Iqbal also reflected on the broader challenges facing Pakistan, including low literacy rates, stunted growth among children, and the lack of universal primary enrollment, which hinder the country’s ability to compete in the global innovation economy. He urged the nation to prioritize education, research, and technological advancement, warning that failure to innovate would render Pakistan irrelevant in the rapidly evolving global landscape. He cited the examples of companies like Nokia and BlackBerry, which lost their market leadership due to a lack of innovation, as a cautionary tale for Pakistan.
The Minister passionately called for a national mission to transform Pakistan into a technology-based economy, with a focus on export-led growth. He outlined the government’s vision to achieve a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035, requiring sustained growth of 6-8% and a significant increase in exports. He emphasized the need to harness the potential of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, and nanotechnology, and announced the establishment of new national centers for these fields. Prof. Iqbal reiterated that stability, continuity, reform, and unity are essential for Pakistan’s progress and urged all stakeholders to work together to achieve these goals.
In conclusion, Prof. Iqbal expressed his gratitude to the Institute of Engineers Pakistan for their efforts in promoting excellence and innovation in the engineering profession. He called on the engineering community to rise to the challenge of building a prosperous and technologically advanced Pakistan, leaving a legacy of progress for future generations. The event was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Engineer Farhat Adil, Chairman of the Institute of Engineers Pakistan, Engineer Amir Zameer, and other senior engineers, chapter presidents, and young engineers from across the country.
