Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that the launch of Quantum Valley Pakistan “Shaping Pakistan’s Innovation & Technology Future” marks the beginning of a new journey for Pakistan towards technological advancement, innovation and a knowledge-driven economy.
The distinguished guests, Mr. Tim Rowe, CEO, Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC); Mr. Dougan Sherwood, Partner, CIC; and Mr. Seena Amidi, Managing Partner, Plug and Play, participated in the launching ceremony of Quantum Valley Pakistan.
Addressing the launch ceremony of Quantum Valley Pakistan, the Federal Minister said, “Today is not merely the inauguration of a project; it marks the beginning of a new direction for Pakistan’s future.” He described the launch as a proud moment and said the initiative would help connect Pakistani youth with global centres of innovation and technology.
Ahsan Iqbal said that the centre of power in the 21st century is no longer physical strength, but intellectual and creative capability. Countries possessing the best ideas and the ability to transform those ideas into products would move ahead in the global economy, he added.
The Federal Minister said Pakistan’s nearly 60 percent population comprises young people, and the country’s youth are second to none in talent and potential. “We have to bring together the capabilities of our youth and move forward with the spirit of Team Pakistan,” he said.
He said Quantum Valley Pakistan would serve as a platform to connect Pakistani youth with global technology and innovation hubs, while bringing stakeholders together within a modern technology ecosystem. The initiative, he added, would create new opportunities for startups and promote high-tech businesses in Pakistan.
During the ceremony, two agreements were signed aimed at strengthening technological collaboration and supporting the country’s innovation ecosystem. The first agreement was signed between Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) and Quantum Valley Pakistan, while the second was signed between Plug and Play and Quantum Valley Pakistan.
Ahsan Iqbal termed the agreements an important step towards equipping Pakistani youth with modern technology and creating pathways for innovation, entrepreneurship and high-tech business development.
The Minister said Pakistan’s defence and diplomatic successes must be backed by a strong and sustainable economy. He said the government had set a target of transforming Pakistan into a $1 trillion economy by 2035 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047.
“Achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2035 is certainly difficult, but it is not impossible,” he said, adding that if Pakistan could become a nuclear power despite enormous challenges, it could also achieve the target of a $1 trillion economy through determination, innovation and collective national effort.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the need to learn from past mistakes and move Pakistan towards economic sovereignty. “Pakistan needs a strong economic future for its young generation, not turmoil on its streets,” he said.
He said the world was advancing at unprecedented speed and Pakistan could not afford to lose even a moment in accelerating its journey towards modern technologies. He underlined that increasing exports was essential for achieving complete economic sovereignty.
The Federal Minister recalled that in 2017, several National Centres were established in Pakistan in emerging fields, including Big Data and Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Automation and Robotics, GIS and Space Technology, Applied Mathematics, and Livestock and Genomics. Through these centres, universities were connected to develop a national technology network, he added.
He said that under URAAN Pakistan, the country’s technology journey was further accelerated in 2024. The technology ecosystem being developed through these initiatives would contribute towards the government’s target of increasing Pakistan’s exports to $100 billion by 2035, he added.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan’s population of 260 million people represented enormous economic potential and the country needed to develop the capacity to generate at least $400 billion annually in foreign exchange.
“Pakistan’s youth can earn millions of dollars in foreign exchange for the country through knowledge and technology,” he said, adding that the government wanted to transform young people from merely job seekers into architects of knowledge, innovation and development.
He described Pakistan’s youth as the “Shaheens of Iqbal” and called upon them to harness their capabilities for the country’s progress and prosperity.
The Federal Minister said Quantum Valley Pakistan would help Pakistan secure a stronger position in the global technology and innovation landscape. “Our objective is to enable Pakistan to achieve a leading position in technology and innovation globally,” he said.
He also welcomed the agreement between Cambridge Innovation Center and Quantum Valley Pakistan, saying that such partnerships represented an important step towards equipping young people with technology and creating an environment conducive to startups and high-tech businesses.
Ahsan Iqbal said the launch of Quantum Valley Pakistan was not only the beginning of a new institutional initiative but also the start of a broader journey towards a technology-driven, innovative and economically empowered Pakistan.
