ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday added that Pakistan’s advancements in indigenous defence technologies are an “integral part” of the country’s national defence framework.
Addressing the opening session of the two-day Indus Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Expo 2026 at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan had made significant progress in developing homegrown autonomous capabilities for defence and security under the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The prime minister said these technological advancements are strengthening the country’s security architecture, enhancing resilience and preparing it to address emerging and future threats.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے آج اسلام آباد میں منعقدہ انڈس راس روبوٹکس اینڈ اٹانومس سسٹمز ایکسپو کی تقریب میں شرکت کی اور خطاب کیا۔تقریب میں چیف آف آرمی سٹاف و چیف آف ڈیفنس فورسز فیلڈ مارشل سید عاصم منیر، وفاقی وزراء اور دیگر نے بھی شرکت کی۔
وزیراعظم نے کہا کہ انڈس راس روبوٹکس… pic.twitter.com/qFFBmZUa7X
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) July 22, 2026
He added that Pakistan’s armed forces had demonstrated the country’s determination to protect its sovereignty, along with its growing technological expertise, indigenous capabilities and operational readiness in deploying advanced autonomous technologies for national defence.
Robotics technologies transforming critical sectors
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said robotics and autonomous technologies are transforming critical sectors, particularly agriculture, by enabling farmers to detect crop stress, optimise the use of water, fertilisers and pesticides, and better respond to climate-related challenges.
He noted these technologies also have significant potential in disaster management by improving access to affected areas and strengthening relief efforts.
The prime minister noted that several sophisticated simulators are now being manufactured and assembled in Pakistan, while drone technology has achieved more than 60 percent indigenisation.
He praised scientists, engineers, technocrats and professionals for their contributions to expanding the country’s technological capabilities.
“Indus Robotics and Autonomous System Expo 2026, is a landmark initiative that reflects Pakistan’s determination to become a leading player in the technologies that will define the 21st century.
Today, technology has taken flight quite literally. We stand at an extraordinary… pic.twitter.com/FcAf0SPy49
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 22, 2026
Referring to the success of Marka-e-Haq (May 2025 conflict with India), PM Shehbaz said Pakistan demonstrated the effective use of advanced autonomous systems to protect its physical and cyber frontiers.
The ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, experts, industrialists, entrepreneurs, foreign delegates, brands, companies and students.
The PM stressed the need for collaboration among universities, research institutions, startups, industries and the farming community to develop a strong national innovation ecosystem. He emphasised that technologies developed in Pakistan should remain indigenous, nationally owned and continuously upgraded.
Calling for inclusive technological growth, the prime minister said the robotics and autonomous systems revolution should benefit farmers, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, young innovators and marginalised communities across the country.
He also underscored the importance of establishing clear regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure autonomous systems remain safe, secure, transparent and are used for peaceful purposes.
Islamabad: PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the Indus Robotics and Autonomous Systems (Indus RAS) Expo, where they reviewed advanced indigenous defence technologies and interacted with exhibitors showcasing Pakistan’s latest innovations in robotics and… pic.twitter.com/URMqUlKrQu
— Pakistan Defence🇵🇰 (@PakDefence_) July 22, 2026
PM Shehbaz announced two initiatives aimed at accelerating innovation and investment in Pakistan’s technology sector.
He said the government would launch the Spark and Elevate Programme to convert research into globally competitive technologies, businesses and quality employment opportunities.
He also announced the establishment of the Pakistan Venture Fund, with an initial commitment of $20 million, to encourage investment in the country’s technology ecosystem.
Also Read: Pakistan’s Technology Exports Hit Record $4.6 Billion in Fiscal Year: Advisor
Earlier this year, he mentioned that Pakistan hosted the Indus AI Summit, bringing together governments, technology leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to shape Pakistan’s journey in the age of artificial intelligence. The RAS Expo gave that vision its tangible form, demonstrating how innovation could be translated into viable solutions that strengthen their economy, enhance security and improve the lives of their people.
“We stand at an extraordinary moment in history where machines no longer merely calculate; they can perceive, decide and act swiftly. What once belonged to the realm of imagination has become part of our everyday reality. For generations, our farmers worked at the mercy of nature. They faced water scarcity, rising input costs, fragmented land holdings and a climate that no longer kept its old promises,” he observed.
New technologies would define future economy
Earlier speaking on the occasion, Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the countries that led the new technologies would define the future economy.
She said Pakistan would own full value chains of robotics and artificial intelligence because advanced technological self-reliance was a national decision and today, they were ready to make that.
Shaza Fatima said that under the visionary premiership of the prime minister, the government embraced a clear direction of Digital Nation Pakistan where technology was not simply another lever of the economy, but an actual engine of productivity, employment and national competitiveness.
The minister stressed that they were creating an enabling environment for the startups, investors and young people to compete globally.
“And the results are already visible. The export numbers tell you that this year the ICT exports grew by almost 21%. This is a testament to the resilience of our industry and our policies. We’ve moved 14 ranks up in the E-Governance Development Index, and we’ve moved 27 ranks up this year in ITU’s ICT Development Index,” she added.
