ISLAMABAD – October 22, 2025:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated INSPIRE — a national initiative to train 7,200 professionals in semiconductor design and research, marking a major step in Pakistan’s entry into the $600 billion global semiconductor market.
INSPIRE (Initiative to Nurture Semiconductor Professionals for Industry, Research & Education) will be implemented across nine public universities and feature six integrated circuit (IC) labs nationwide. The programme is part of the National Semiconductor Development Roadmap and is designed to create a skilled workforce in chip design, verification, and research over the next five years.
“This is a milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward a knowledge-based digital economy,” said the prime minister, adding that the programme would position Pakistan as a credible contributor in the global tech ecosystem. He assured full government backing and noted that Rs4.5 billion had been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), calling it just a “drop in the ocean” compared to the potential.
PM Shehbaz Sharif launches INSPIRE, a national initiative to train 7200 professionals in semiconductor design & research, marking Pakistan’s entry into the $600 billion global semiconductor ecosystem. Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan joins to shape Pakistan’s tech future! pic.twitter.com/gPvWdgfDab
— Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (@PMsYouthProgram) October 22, 2025
The initiative was praised by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation, and by Dr Naveed Sherwani, chair of the National Semiconductor Task Force, who called it Pakistan’s opportunity to become a world-class player in chip design and innovation.
The programme is seen as a foundational step towards enabling OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing) and future fabrication capabilities in Pakistan.
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In addition, the PM also emphasized plans for a cashless economy, digitisation of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and restructuring of Smeda to support SME growth.
With INSPIRE, Pakistan takes a transformative leap toward technological self-reliance, aiming to align education, industry, and investment in its semiconductor ambitions.
