Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated two pivotal projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) focused on Emerging Technologies on Wednesday. The projects, titled Common Criteria Pakistan and Quantum Communication, were launched in a ceremony held in Islamabad, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of IT and Telecom, and the Ministry of Planning.
During the inauguration, Minister Iqbal lauded the dedicated efforts of the teams involved in bringing these projects to fruition, expressing confidence in their potential for long-term self-sustainability. He also highlighted the broader context of technological advancements in Pakistan, tracing back to the establishment of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the country’s first IT policy under Vision 2010.
The minister reflected on key milestones, including the successful issuance of 3G and 4G licenses, and the creation of several National Centers—such as the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, National Centre for Cyber Security, National Centre for Big Data and Cloud Computing, National Centre for Automation and Robotics, and National Centre for Satellite and GIS Technology—under previous administrations. These centers, he noted, have played a crucial role in advancing Pakistan’s technological capabilities by providing high-quality human resources, fostering startups, and enhancing scientific and technological skills.
Minister Iqbal further announced the introduction of four new centers, focusing on Nanotechnology, Quantum Computing, New Manufacturing Technologies, and Brand Development. He underscored the importance of these initiatives in driving national development and emphasized the critical role of modern technology in shaping the country’s future.
Addressing the broader challenges faced by the country, Iqbal noted the significant reliance on debt for financing development projects and the resultant substantial reduction in the development budget from its originally allocated amount. He called for improved national-level coordination in project mapping to prevent duplication and ensure the effective utilization of resources, stressing the need for strategic planning to overcome these financial constraints.
