ISLAMABAD, July 22 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called upon all stakeholders to join hands for a unified national innovation ecosystem, saying Pakistan must build its own knowledge base and technological capability in robotics and autonomous systems.<\/p>\n
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the \u201cIndus RAS \u2013 Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026\u201d, the prime minister said the country needed to embrace the ongoing technological revolution while ensuring that its gains reached every section of society.<\/p>\n
He said universities, research and development centres, startups, industries and farmers should become part of one national innovation ecosystem so that the knowledge behind emerging technologies remained indigenous, owned and continuously advanced in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
The prime minister said the revolution in robotics and autonomous systems should not be restricted to advanced economies, large corporations or major cities. Rather, he added, it should serve as a driver of inclusive growth by benefiting farmers, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, young innovators and underserved communities across Pakistan and the Global South.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the fast pace of emerging technologies, Shehbaz Sharif said their growing power also increased the responsibility of governments and all relevant stakeholders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must establish clear regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure autonomous systems are safe, secure, transparent, and always used for the benefit of mankind,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment to promoting innovation and technological development, stressing that new technologies must be used responsibly and inclusively for sustainable national progress.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, experts, industrialists, entrepreneurs, foreign delegates, brands, companies and students.<\/p>\n
On the occasion, the prime minister announced two major government initiatives aimed at shaping the future of robotics and autonomous systems in Pakistan. These included the launch of the Spark and Elevate programme to turn Pakistan\u2019s research into world-class technologies, globally competitive enterprises and high-productivity jobs, and the establishment of the Pakistan Venture Fund with an initial commitment of $20 million to catalyse investment in the technology ecosystem.<\/p>\n
Shehbaz Sharif said the future of robots and autonomous machines in Pakistan was not only about technology, but about a nation of around 250 million resilient people determined to re-imagine, compete and build a better future for coming generations.<\/p>\n
He said it was also the story of Pakistan\u2019s young and bright people, whose dreams were driven by curiosity, whose talent had no limits and whose ingenuity would shape the motherland\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
The prime minister said Pakistan stood at the cusp of a historic opportunity that it could not and would not miss. He said the country would not merely inherit choices made by others, but would shape its own destiny through innovation, enterprise, self-reliance and untiring efforts.<\/p>\n
He urged the nation to work with determination to build a brighter, stronger and more prosperous Pakistan for future generations.<\/p>\n
Terming the Indus RAS Expo a landmark initiative, the prime minister said it reflected Pakistan\u2019s resolve to become a leading player in technologies that would define the 21st century.<\/p>\n
He recalled that earlier this year Pakistan had hosted the Indus AI Summit, which brought together governments, technology leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to help shape the country\u2019s path in the age of artificial intelligence. The RAS Expo, he said, gave that vision a practical form by showing how innovation could be transformed into viable solutions to strengthen the economy, enhance security and improve people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stand at an extraordinary moment in history where machines no longer merely calculate; they can perceive, decide and act swiftly,\u201d he said, adding that what was once imagined had become part of everyday reality.<\/p>\n
Referring to agriculture, the prime minister said farmers had for generations worked at the mercy of nature, facing water scarcity, rising input costs, fragmented landholdings and a changing climate. He said emerging technologies had brought a revolution in agriculture and, during crises, the same technologies provided access and helped save lives where roads and bridges had been washed away.<\/p>\n
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had made notable progress in developing indigenous autonomous capabilities in defence and security.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder the dynamic leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, our armed forces have adopted cutting-edge technologies, some of which I just witnessed on display outside this hall. I have seen simulators 100% manufactured and assembled in Pakistan. Drones have already achieved more than 60% indigenization,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The prime minister appreciated the Ministry of IT, experts, professionals and technocrats for their achievements for the country.<\/p>\n
Referring to last year\u2019s historic Marqa-e-Haq, he said the world had witnessed how Pakistan\u2019s valiant armed forces guarded the physical and cyber frontiers through the effective use of advanced autonomous systems under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, with the support of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf.<\/p>\n
He said the armed forces had demonstrated Pakistan\u2019s resolve to protect its sovereignty, along with indigenous capability, technological strength and operational excellence to use advanced autonomous technologies in defence of the motherland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese remarkable military advancements are an integral part of our national defence. They will further strengthen our security architecture, make our defence more impregnable, and enhance our resilience against emerging and future threats,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja said countries leading new technologies would define the future economy.<\/p>\n
She said Pakistan would own the full value chains of robotics and artificial intelligence, as advanced technological self-reliance was a national decision and the country was ready to make it.<\/p>\n
The minister said that under the prime minister\u2019s leadership, the government had adopted a clear direction under Digital Nation Pakistan, where technology was not merely another lever of the economy but an engine of productivity, employment and national competitiveness.<\/p>\n
She said the government was creating an enabling environment for startups, investors and young people to compete globally.<\/p>\n
She added that the results were already visible, noting that ICT exports had grown by almost 21% this year. Pakistan had also moved up 14 ranks in the E-Governance Development Index and 27 ranks in the ITU\u2019s ICT Development Index.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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