Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping package of technology initiatives, including a $20 million venture fund and a new robotics program, pledging that Pakistan would break its reliance on foreign technology and build advanced capabilities at home.
Speaking at the Indus Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Expo, Sharif launched the Spark and Elevate Program, designed to accelerate the development of robotics and autonomous systems, alongside the Pakistan Venture Fund, which will channel capital into innovation, research, and technology startups.
“We will not remain dependent on foreign technology but will chart our own destiny,” Sharif said, pointing to what he described as steady progress in strengthening indigenous capabilities across defense, robotics, and autonomous systems.
The prime minister highlighted milestones in domestic defense manufacturing, noting that military simulators are now produced entirely within Pakistan and that locally manufactured drones account for more than 60 percent of those used by the armed forces. He credited advanced technologies and cybersecurity with bolstering the country’s defense posture.
Beyond defense, Sharif argued that technological progress must translate into tangible gains for the broader economy, singling out agriculture, water management, climate resilience, and opportunities for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and farmers as priority areas. He also called for the establishment of an ethical and legal framework to govern the responsible deployment of autonomous systems.
The initiatives, Sharif said, would help bridge the gap between research and commercial application while generating high-quality employment.
In a separate development, the prime minister welcomed S&P Global Ratings’ decision to upgrade Pakistan’s sovereign credit rating to B from B-, framing the move as an endorsement of the government’s economic reform agenda, fiscal discipline, and stabilization efforts. The upgrade, he added, would strengthen investor confidence and unlock new avenues for foreign investment.
