As part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initiative to enhance the country’s industrial and technological landscape, Pakistan will establish new artificial intelligence, research and development, and skills training centres, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan announced on Friday.
Khan chaired a meeting with the heads of the Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Company (TUSDEC) and the Pakistan Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (PITAC), where he outlined plans for several key projects. These include the creation of a Mining and Mineral Processing Technology Centre, a Women Digital Skills Development Centre, and an Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin Centre.
Additionally, the government plans to set up seafood processing and packaging plants, modern abattoirs, and meat processing facilities across the country. Khan emphasized the importance of learning from advanced international models to bring modern skills and technologies to Pakistan.
“I have seen advanced artificial intelligence institutes in developed countries. PITAC must learn from them and bring those skills to Pakistan,” Khan said, stressing the need for Pakistan to keep pace with the rapid global advancements in artificial intelligence.
He also cited Uzbekistan’s Techno Park as an example, highlighting innovations like solar water heaters and prepaid billing systems as models for Pakistan to replicate.
Khan further announced the establishment of a research and development centre in Gujranwala to promote industrial innovation. He praised PITAC for introducing modern skills and English language courses for students, calling them essential for improving competitiveness in the global job market.
He also expressed his intention to meet with PITAC students who excelled in training programs, acknowledging their significant role in the country’s industrial and technological development.
