Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for the creation of a unified national innovation ecosystem, urging relevant institutions to work together in developing Pakistan’s indigenous technological capabilities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026, he said Pakistan must fully embrace the ongoing technological revolution while ensuring its benefits are shared across all sections of society.
PM Shehbaz stressed that the knowledge driving robotics and autonomous technologies should be developed, owned, and continuously advanced within Pakistan. According to him, the country’s academic institutions, research centres, businesses, and farming community must collaborate to strengthen homegrown innovation.
“I am delighted to announce two landmark initiatives that will shape the future of robotics and autonomous systems in our country. First, we are launching the Spark and Elevate Program to transform Pakistan's research into world-class technologies, globally competitive… pic.twitter.com/fy7pDdh8oB
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 22, 2026
The premier said the robotics revolution should not remain limited to developed nations, multinational corporations, or major urban centres. Instead, he said, it should serve as a tool for inclusive economic growth by benefiting farmers, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, young innovators, underserved communities, and countries across the Global South.
PM Shehbaz called for comprehensive regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure autonomous systems remain safe, transparent, secure, and are always used for the welfare of humanity. He said innovation must be promoted responsibly to support sustainable national development.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s future in robotics and autonomous systems is not solely about technological advancement but reflects the aspirations of nearly 250 million resilient citizens determined to innovate, compete globally, and build a better future.
He paid tribute to Pakistan’s youth, describing them as talented and creative individuals whose ideas and determination would shape the country’s future.
The prime minister said Pakistan stands at a defining moment in its history and must seize the opportunity to chart its own course through innovation, entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and sustained hard work rather than relying on decisions made elsewhere.
He urged the nation to work with dedication and determination to build a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan that future generations would take pride in.
Describing the Indus RAS Expo as a milestone initiative, PM Shehbaz said it demonstrated Pakistan’s ambition to become a leading player in technologies that will define the 21st century.
He recalled that Pakistan hosted the Indus AI Summit earlier this year, bringing together governments, technology leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs to discuss the country’s artificial intelligence agenda. The RAS Expo, he said, translates that vision into practical solutions capable of strengthening the economy, improving security, and enhancing public welfare.
The prime minister noted that robotics and autonomous systems have moved from the realm of science fiction into everyday life, with applications transforming multiple sectors, particularly agriculture. He said emerging technologies are helping farmers address water shortages, rising production costs, fragmented landholdings, and climate-related challenges. He also highlighted their role in disaster response, where autonomous technologies can provide access and save lives after floods destroy roads and bridges.
PM Shehbaz further said Pakistan has achieved significant progress in developing indigenous autonomous technologies for defence and security.
He praised the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, stating that the armed forces have successfully integrated advanced technologies into national defence. Referring to exhibits displayed at the expo, he said Pakistan has manufactured and assembled simulators entirely within the country, while locally developed drones have achieved more than 60 per cent indigenisation.
The prime minister also acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Information Technology, scientists, engineers, technocrats, and other professionals for advancing Pakistan’s technological capabilities.
Recalling last year’s Marqa-e-Haq, he said Pakistan’s armed forces demonstrated their ability to protect both physical and cyber frontiers through the effective use of advanced autonomous systems under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, with support from Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
He said these achievements showcased Pakistan’s indigenous technological expertise, operational capability, and commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty. According to the prime minister, continued investment in advanced autonomous technologies will further strengthen the country’s defence architecture and improve its resilience against future security challenges.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, foreign delegates, corporate representatives, and students.
During the event, the PM unveiled two major government initiatives aimed at accelerating Pakistan’s robotics and technology sector. The first, the Spark and Elevate Programme, seeks to transform local research into globally competitive technologies, innovative enterprises, and high-quality employment opportunities.
The second initiative, the Pakistan Venture Fund, will begin with an initial investment of $20 million to stimulate growth in the country’s technology ecosystem.
