ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged all stakeholders to participate in a unified national innovation ecosystem, emphasizing the critical need to develop indigenous knowledge and technological capabilities within Pakistan. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the “Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026”, the prime minister stated that Pakistan must embrace the ongoing technological revolution while ensuring its benefits reach every segment of society.

“Let our universities, research and development centres, startups, industries, and farmers become part of one national innovation ecosystem, ensuring that the knowledge behind these technologies is indigenous, owned, and continuously advanced in Pakistan,” he said. The prime minister stressed that the robotics and autonomous systems revolution should not be confined to advanced economies, large corporations, or major cities. Instead, he argued, it should become a catalyst for inclusive growth, improving the lives of farmers, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, young innovators, and underserved communities across Pakistan and the Global South.

Highlighting the rapid pace of emerging technologies, Shehbaz Sharif noted that their increasing power necessitates greater responsibility from governments. “We must establish clear regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure autonomous systems are safe, secure, transparent, and always used for the benefit of mankind,” he added. The prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting innovation while ensuring emerging technologies are deployed responsibly for sustainable national progress. The event was attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, experts, industrialists, and foreign delegates.

New Strategic Initiatives for Technology

The prime minister announced two landmark initiatives designed to shape the future of robotics and autonomous systems in the country. These include the launch of the ‘Spark and Elevate’ programme, aimed at transforming local research into world-class technologies and globally competitive enterprises, and the establishment of the Pakistan Venture Fund with an initial commitment of $20 million to catalyse investment in the technology sector. He noted that such efforts follow the Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar Urges Scientific Innovation in Muslim World initiative, which focuses on regional cooperation. These policies align with broader efforts by the government to seek Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Reiterates Pakistan’s Commitment to Regional Mediation to foster global stability and economic growth.

Military and Economic Advancements

The prime minister praised Pakistan’s progress in indigenous autonomous capabilities, particularly in defence. “Under the dynamic leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, our armed forces have adopted cutting-edge technologies. I have seen simulators 100% manufactured and assembled in Pakistan. Drones have already achieved more than 60% indigenization,” he stated. He lauded the contributions of the IT ministry and technocrats in these achievements. Furthermore, he noted that during the historic Marqa-e-Haq, the nation witnessed the effective use of advanced autonomous systems led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, with support from Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja also spoke at the event, stating that the countries leading new technologies will define the future global economy. “Pakistan will own full value chains of robotics and artificial intelligence because advanced technological self-reliance is a national decision,” she remarked. She highlighted that ICT exports grew by nearly 21% this year, while Pakistan improved its ranking in both the E-Governance Development Index and the ITU’s ICT Development Index, signaling a strong trajectory for the nation’s digital future.