Pakistan launches semiconductor initiative ‘INSPIRE’ to enter $600bn global tech ecosystem

October 21, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan has formally stepped into the global semiconductor industry with the launch of INSPIRE, the Initiative to Nurture Semiconductor Professionals for Industry, Research & Education, marking a major leap toward technological self-reliance and a knowledge-based digital economy.

Unveiled by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, INSPIRE represents Pakistan’s National Semiconductor Initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and executed by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), according to APP.

The programme places Pakistan within a $600 billion global semiconductor ecosystem, projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz called the initiative a milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation, emphasizing innovation, research, and skilled human capital as the engines of sustainable growth.

“Our vision is to prepare Pakistan’s youth for the industries of tomorrow. Through this initiative, we are building the foundations of a new economic frontier  one where Pakistan contributes talent, technology, and innovation to the world,” he said.

The prime minister assured full government support for the programme and directed concerned departments to accelerate implementation.

He noted that Rs 4.5bn had already been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and reaffirmed that funding would not be a constraint.

Highlighting the broader digital reform agenda, he said the government had established the Pakistan Digital Authority, was digitizing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and working toward a cashless economy.

Commending the IT ministry and PSEB for their forward-looking vision, the prime minister also praised the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for fostering public–private partnerships and facilitating investment in strategic technology sectors.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said INSPIRE reflected the government’s commitment to a technology-driven, inclusive economy, focused on empowering youth and women with globally relevant skills.

“INSPIRE embodies the prime minister’s vision for a digitally empowered Pakistan  one where our students, researchers, and professionals move from learning to leading roles in the global semiconductor industry,” she said.

She added that her ministry was cultivating international partnerships and investment collaborations to expand cooperation in semiconductor research, design, broadband, and advanced manufacturing.

Chairman of the National Semiconductor Task Force, Dr. Naveed Sherwani, presented the strategic roadmap, calling INSPIRE the first step toward building a world-class semiconductor ecosystem that links academia, research, and industry.

PSEB CEO Abu Bakar described the initiative as a cornerstone project in developing Pakistan’s indigenous technological capacity, designed to train thousands of professionals and establish enduring linkages between universities, research centers, and industry players.

Under the programme, 7,200 professionals will be trained over five years in semiconductor design, verification, and research, with nine public-sector universities engaged across Pakistan’s regions and six Integrated Circuit (IC) labs to be established.

As the first phase of Pakistan’s National Semiconductor Development Roadmap, INSPIRE will pave the way for future Outsourced Assembly & Testing (OSAT) and fabrication capabilities, enabling Pakistan’s integration into the global semiconductor supply chain.

With the launch of INSPIRE, Pakistan has embarked on a new chapter of digital transformation, defined by innovation, opportunity, and global collaboration a step that positions the nation as an emerging contributor to the trillion-dollar global semiconductor industry.

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