• Launches Spark, Elevate programmes to back innovation; commits $20m to new Pakistan Venture Fund
• Urges unified innovation ecosystem linking academia, industry; says robotics must benefit farmers, SMEs
• Calls for ethical, transparent regulation of autonomous systems
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s progress in developing indigenous autonomous capabilities is vital to strengthening national defence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday as he urged greater investment in homegrown innovation and announced new initiatives to boost the country’s robotics sector.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the “Indus RAS — Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026”, PM Shehbaz praised the military’s adoption of cutting-edge technologies and urged all stakeholders to become part of a unified national innovation ecosystem.
“Under the dynamic leadership of the field marshal, our armed forces have adopted cutting-edge technologies,” he said, referring to Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The prime minister noted he had witnessed military simulators that were 100 per cent manufactured and assembled in Pakistan, alongside drones that have achieved more than 60 per cent indigenisation.
He also referenced last year’s military operation, Marka-i-Haq, where he said the armed forces resolutely guarded physical and cyber frontiers through the effective use of advanced autonomous systems.
These operations were ably supported by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the prime minister added, stating that such advancements make the nation’s defence more impregnable against future threats.
“These 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,” he further observed.
To further shape the country’s technological future, PM Shehbaz announced two landmark government initiatives: the Spark and Elevate programmes, which are designed to transform Pakistan’s research into globally competitive enterprises. He also announced the launch of the Pakistan Venture Fund, starting with an initial commitment of $20 million to catalyse investment in the country’s technology ecosystem.
PM Shehbaz emphasised that the robotics and autonomous systems revolution must not remain confined to advanced economies, large corporations, or major cities.
Instead, he said, it should act as a catalyst for inclusive growth to improve the lives of farmers, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and under-served communities.
“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,” the premier said.
Highlighting the rapid advancement of emerging technologies, the prime minister noted that their increasing power places greater responsibility on 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,” PM Shehbaz said.
Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja also spoke at the event, emphasising that technological leadership defines future economies and that Pakistan aims to dominate the robotics and artificial intelligence value chains.
Highlighting the government’s “Digital Nation Pakistan” initiative as a key driver of competitiveness, Ms Khawaja said information and communications technology exports have risen by nearly 21pc.
She also noted that Pakistan’s ranking improved by 14 places in the E-Governance Development Index and 27 places in the ITU’s ICT Development Index this year.
Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2026