Dr. Javaid Laghari, a distinguished educator and academic leader, has made significant contributions to the education landscape in Pakistan. His work at SZABIST and then at the Higher Education Commission (HEC), has been instrumental in shaping Pakistan’s technology and education landscape. With a distinguished career spanning academia, government, and the private sector, Dr. Laghari’s insights into Pakistan’s technology ecosystem are invaluable. In an exclusive interview with CWPakistan, Dr. Laghari shares his insights on the future of education, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), and the path toward technological growth in Pakistan.
Founding SZABIST and Contributing to Education
Dr. Laghari’s academic journey began in the United States, where he served as a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the State University of New York in Buffalo. Despite a promising career abroad, his passion for contributing to Pakistan’s development led him to return to his homeland in the 1990s. He seized the opportunity to establish SZABIST (Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology), which would become a trailblazing institution in Pakistan’s higher education landscape.
“It was not easy,” Dr. Laghari recalls, “we were up against significant odds. Securing funding, building infrastructure, and convincing people of the importance of a science and technology-focused institution required tireless effort. But with the support of the government, donors, and a dedicated team, we built something impactful.”
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Over time, SZABIST expanded into a multi-campus university, recognized for its contributions to technology and management sciences. SZABIST’s early focus on technology education set the tone for future educational reforms in Pakistan. Dr. Laghari’s leadership was central to overcoming the hurdles of funding and infrastructure to ensure SZABIST’s growth.
“Back in 1995, people didn’t even know what the internet was,” he reminisces. “We had to introduce it through workshops and training programs. The challenge wasn’t just about the technology but also the mindset shift required to embrace it.”
Leadership at HEC: Focusing on Reforms and Innovation
After his successful tenure at SZABIST, Dr. Laghari took on a national role by becoming Chairman of the HEC, where his focus shifted to improving the overall quality of higher education in Pakistan. Under his leadership, HEC implemented significant reforms aimed at raising the standard of education and integrating technology into university programs. His tenure emphasized the importance of promoting research and innovation to compete on the global stage.
“Pakistan’s future depends on our ability to invest in research. The countries leading in technology today are those that have made research a priority. We wanted to ensure that Pakistani universities could produce world-class research.”
During his time at HEC, Dr. Laghari worked to strengthen partnerships between Pakistani universities and international institutions, enhancing academic collaboration and knowledge exchange. His experience in the UAE had shown him the value of diverse educational approaches, and he sought to apply those lessons to Pakistan.
“We need to look beyond traditional academic models and create an education system that adapts to new challenges,” he said. “Our curricula need constant revision to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technological landscape.”
Championing Emerging Technologies
A lifelong advocate for technology education, Dr. Laghari has consistently emphasized the role of emerging technologies in driving economic growth. He was one of the first educators in Pakistan to recognize the transformative potential of fields like artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data science. Today, these areas are revolutionizing industries worldwide, and Pakistan’s youth, in his view, must be prepared to seize the opportunities they offer.
“Artificial Intelligence is not just for technologists. Anyone with the right mindset can learn AI skills, regardless of their background.”
Dr. Laghari emphasizes that AI has the power to revolutionize sectors such as healthcare, finance, and education. He adds, “Prompt engineering, for instance, is something that people from diverse fields can excel at, and we’ve seen 18-year-olds in the U.S. mastering it. Pakistan can do the same.” However, he points out that Pakistan’s progress in this field requires deliberate efforts to improve infrastructure, promote research, and nurture talent. He believes that fostering a conducive environment for startups and AI innovation is key to making Pakistan competitive globally. He notes,
“The global AI market is highly competitive.”
“Even in advanced economies, there is a shortage of talent. Pakistan, with its young population and a growing tech workforce, has the potential to be a major player in the global AI market. But we must invest in talent development and infrastructure to realize this potential.”
Pakistan’s Competitive Edge: Talent and Outsourcing
Pakistan’s talented workforce and its relatively lower labor costs make it an attractive destination for outsourcing technology services, especially in AI and IT fields. Dr. Laghari highlights Pakistan’s English-speaking population as a key competitive advantage, which allows the country to compete with other outsourcing hubs like India.
“We are positioned uniquely,” he explains.
“Our skilled labor is among the least expensive in the world, and with our proficiency in English, we are on par with countries like India when it comes to outsourcing potential. But we must focus on quality and timely delivery to truly compete in the global market.”
However, he also acknowledges the infrastructure challenges that Pakistan faces. Issues such as internet connectivity, power outages, and bureaucratic delays remain significant obstacles to the growth of Pakistan’s IT and technology sectors.
“To overcome these challenges,” he advises, “we need government support in improving infrastructure, providing incentives for investment, and ensuring a stable regulatory environment for businesses to thrive.”
Education Reforms and Bridging the Skills Gap
At the heart of Dr. Laghari’s vision for Pakistan’s future is education reform. He advocates for integrating technology into all disciplines and promoting a more skills-based approach to learning. He believes that Pakistan’s education system needs to be more responsive to the demands of the modern job market and less focused on theoretical knowledge.
“We need to move away from the traditional focus on general education. Instead, we should encourage students to specialize earlier in their academic careers, allowing them to develop practical skills that can be applied in the workforce.”
Dr. Laghari calls for collaboration between universities and industries to ensure that graduates are equipped with the skills that employers need. He suggests that internships, apprenticeships, and industry-led training programs can help bridge the gap between academia and the job market.
“Our graduates need more than just a degree. They need hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills. This is where partnerships between universities and businesses are critical.”
The Role of Government and Policy in Tech Development
Dr. Laghari stresses the crucial role the government plays in creating a favorable environment for technological advancement. Policies, infrastructure, and incentives are necessary to support innovation and attract investment. According to him, technology zones and incubators can offer startups the necessary ecosystem to grow, innovate, and compete globally.
“We’ve seen successful models like NUST’s incubator and LUMS’s entrepreneurial programs,” he says. “But for the broader IT sector to thrive, the government needs to address fundamental issues like power outages and internet infrastructure. Without resolving these, our progress will be stunted.”
“We need to create an environment that welcomes foreign investors and skilled professionals. This will help us bridge the talent gap and introduce new ideas and innovations into our technology ecosystem.”
He also highlights the importance of international collaboration in fostering growth. Forming partnerships with global technology hubs and attracting foreign talent to Pakistan are, in his view, critical to the country’s success in the tech space.
A Vision for the Future
Despite the challenges, Dr. Laghari remains optimistic about Pakistan’s potential to become a technology-driven economy. He believes that with the right policies, investments, and international partnerships, Pakistan can emerge as a global leader in technology.
“We have the talent, the resources, and the drive. Now we need to align our efforts to ensure that Pakistan becomes a major player in the global tech landscape.”
His vision is one of collaboration between the government, industry, and academia, where all stakeholders work together to foster innovation, support entrepreneurship, and drive economic growth. With his extensive experience and forward-thinking leadership, Dr. Javaid Laghari offers a compelling roadmap for Pakistan’s digital future.
