Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a future-ready Pakistan by leveraging science, technology, and innovation as core engines of national development. He was addressing the 50th anniversary celebrations of the International Nathiagali Summer College at the National Centre for Physics (NCP), Islamabad.
In his keynote address to an audience of renowned scientists, international scholars, and young researchers, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal underscored that innovation is no longer optional, it is imperative. “In today’s techno-economy, knowledge is power, data is currency, and innovation is national security,” he asserted. “Those who lead in science will lead the world. Those who lag will be left behind.”
Highlighting Government initiatives in this relevance, the Minister shared that the Planning Commission has approved two major new initiatives. The first is the Dr. A. Q. Khan Materials Research Institute, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, which will focus on cutting-edge research in advanced materials, especially those critical for energy security and high-tech manufacturing. The second is the Emerging Technologies Centre, with an investment exceeding Rs. 3 billion, aimed at building national capacity in next-generation technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, and digital transformation.
The Minister also announced that the government is set to launch three new national centres in the coming year: the National Centre for Quantum Computing, the National Centre for Nanotechnology, and the National Centre for New Manufacturing, each aligned with strategic technological domains critical to global competitiveness.
These initiatives will complement the seven National Centres of Excellence that were established during the 2013–2018 tenure. These include the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Big Data and Cloud Computing, Robotics and Automation, GIS and Space Applications, Applied Mathematics, and Livestock Breeding, Genetics and Genomics. Together, these centres lay the foundation for a robust scientific and technological infrastructure in Pakistan.
To connect all these efforts under a unified and future-forward strategy, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal announced the rollout of Quantum Valley Pakistan, a visionary national innovation platform. “Quantum Valley will be a place where academia generates knowledge, industry turns it into innovation, the government facilitates scale, and the economy reaps the benefits in the form of jobs, high-value exports, and self-reliance,” he explained. The platform will prioritize strategic sectors such as agritech, biotech, mineral technologies, and advanced materials, positioning Pakistan to lead in tomorrow’s economy.
The Minister also highlighted the launch of STED (Science, Technology, and Innovation for Economic Development) under the URAAN Pakistan Framework. Grounded in the Triple Helix Model—which fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and government—STED ensures that scientific research is not confined to journals but translated into real-world solutions. “From food security and health innovation to energy efficiency and climate adaptation, STED will drive problem-solving research that serves Pakistan’s development goals,” the Minister said.
At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping human life, the Minister issued a timely reminder: “Science without ethics can be dangerous. Technology must serve humanity, not enslave it.” He cautioned that while innovation can uplift nations, it must be guided by values, conscience, and justice.
To the young scientists and researchers present, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal offered heartfelt encouragement: “Your energy is our greatest resource. Your ideas are our best investment. Dare to ask, dare to experiment, dare to lead.” Quoting powerful verses by Allama Iqbal, he reminded them of the fire of thought, courage, and inquiry that once defined Muslim civilization—and urged them to revive it.
As Pakistan commemorates five decades of scientific exchange through the Nathiagali Summer College, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal urged that this moment be seen not just as a celebration of the past, but the ignition of a new, more ambitious future. “Let us not merely honor this legacy,” he said. “Let us now build on ita, nd lead the world with vision, innovation, and discipline.”
