Pakistan has entered a new chapter in its technological journey with the launch of INSPIRE, the country’s first National Semiconductor Initiative. The program marks a major step by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MOITT) to strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global technology ecosystem and establish a foundation for long-term growth in high-tech manufacturing and research. The launch event was attended by the Honourable Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Ms. Shaza Khawaja, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Chairperson National Semiconductor Taskforce Dr. Naveed Sherwani, and several other dignitaries and industry experts.
INSPIRE aims to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of advancing Pakistan’s semiconductor capabilities, with a goal to train 7,200 professionals over the next five years in areas such as chip design, verification, and semiconductor research. The initiative involves collaboration with nine public-sector universities across northern, central, and southern regions of the country, ensuring national representation and participation in this advanced technology sector. To facilitate practical learning and research, six state-of-the-art Integrated Circuit (IC) labs will be established under the program, providing the necessary infrastructure for hands-on training and innovation in semiconductor design and manufacturing.
Speaking at the launch, officials emphasized that INSPIRE will not only enhance Pakistan’s human capital in one of the world’s most critical technology domains but will also pave the way for the country to contribute meaningfully to the global semiconductor supply chain. By focusing on education, research, and collaboration, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that Pakistan’s talent pool can meet international standards in chip technology and digital hardware development. This effort reflects MOITT’s broader vision to diversify Pakistan’s technology landscape and promote self-reliance in areas that are central to the global digital economy.
The launch of INSPIRE comes at a time when semiconductor technology has become a strategic focus for nations worldwide, influencing everything from artificial intelligence to telecommunications. With this initiative, Pakistan is positioning itself as a competitive participant in this rapidly evolving field. Supported by strong government commitment and institutional cooperation, INSPIRE represents an important milestone toward building the country’s capabilities in high-value technology production and research. The initiative not only signifies progress in the domestic tech ecosystem but also underscores Pakistan’s readiness to align with global advancements in science, engineering, and innovation.
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