Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said Pakistan must now shift its focus from the “battle for truth” to the “battle for development,” with technology, innovation and exports driving the country’s next phase of growth.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Digital Design and Verification Training 2026 at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute on September 18, Iqbal said Pakistan’s future economy must be built on knowledge, technology, innovation and exports.
He said the government had approved the Digital Design and Verification Training Program in line with the Prime Minister’s vision.
The first Digital IC Design and Verification program trained 40 students over four months. Iqbal said the participants were not merely earning certificates but helping lay the foundation for Pakistan to enter a new technology sector.
He said semiconductor and chip design capability is the foundation of a modern economy and young people can turn knowledge into technology and technology into exports. He noted that modern products ranging from laptops and vehicles to heavy machinery depend on semiconductor technology.
The minister praised GIK Institute for producing high-quality human capital and highlighted the establishment of seven national centers in 2017 covering areas including big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and robotics.
He also said Quantum Valley Pakistan would help establish a new foundation for advanced technology, research and innovation.
The minister said Pakistan had to capitalize on its recent achievements and focus on economic development. He called for the country’s next phase to center on building technological capabilities, expanding exports and developing a skilled workforce.
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