Shehbaz Sharif Launches $20 Million Venture Fund for Robotics

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif launched two major initiatives to advance robotics and autonomous systems during the Indus Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026 in Islamabad. He announced the Pakistan Venture Fund, which begins with an initial government investment of $20 million to support technology startups, and the Spark and Elevate Program, designed to transform local research into globally competitive commercial enterprises.

Sharif called for the creation of a unified national innovation ecosystem involving universities, industries, and farmers to reduce dependence on foreign technology. He emphasized the need for clear regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure that autonomous systems are used safely and transparently across sectors such as agriculture and climate resilience.

In the defense sector, Sharif highlighted significant progress in indigenization under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir. He noted that military simulators are now 100% manufactured in Pakistan and local drone production has exceeded 60 percent. The government also intends to introduce legislation to further promote autonomous capabilities in national defense.

Complementing these efforts, Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced the inauguration of an AI-powered Prime Minister's Office system. This move is part of a broader digital transformation agenda to modernize governance and increase ICT exports.