Islamabad – International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) hosted a high-level National Semiconductor Roundtable Conference, an initiative conceptualized and led under the vision of the worthy President of IIUI, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed, reaffirming the University’s commitment to steering Pakistan’s technological future through academic leadership, policy engagement, and industry collaboration.
The event commenced after the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the address by President Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed, who underscored the vast scope and strategic importance of the semiconductor industry for Pakistan’s economic resilience, digital sovereignty, and future-ready workforce. He expressed pride in leading an institution that stands at the forefront of this transformative national shift, emphasizing that IIUI is uniquely positioned to bridge academia, industry, and policy in this critical domain.
The President further highlighted that Pakistan’s semiconductor ambitions are strategically dovetailing with parallel initiatives in Saudi Arabia, aligned with the Kingdom’s broader vision for achieving end-to-end autonomy in the semiconductor ecosystem. He noted that such regional convergence presents unprecedented opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint capacity-building, with IIUI serving as a credible academic and convening partner in this evolving landscape.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed, Vice President (Research & Enterprise), IIUI, who has spearheaded this event, highlighted the regional growth potential of semiconductors and stressed that sustainable ecosystems require long-term policy continuity, institutional coherence, and patient investment. He noted that IIUI’s sustained work in advanced electronics and microelectronics reflects a deeper institutional commitment rather than a one-off initiative.
The conference was graced by Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, as the Chief Guest, whose presence emphasized the national importance of the dialogue. In her address, she appreciated IIUI for hosting a timely and much-needed national-level conversation on semiconductors, noting that universities must go beyond scholarship to actively shape national direction by convening stakeholders, developing platforms, and nurturing think tanks. She noted that such efforts are fully aligned with the Prime Minister’s flagship INSPIRE initiative and the National Semiconductor Initiative launched in October 2025. She emphasized that semiconductors have now been declared a national priority, closely linked with URAAN Pakistan, the government’s pathway toward transforming Pakistan into a trillion-dollar economy by 2035—a goal that hinges on workforce development, job creation, and infrastructure building. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed then presented CAEPE’s annual portfolio report and the university insignia to her.
The roundtable featured three technical panels, each addressing a critical dimension of the semiconductor ecosystem. Panel 1, “Semiconductors: Policy, Governance, and Funds,” moderated by Dr. Asma Mansoor, focused on policy coherence, governance frameworks, and sustainable financing, with participation from Dr. Sajid Baloch (NECOP), Mr. Zawar Hussain (MoST), Dr. Maria Sultan (SASSI), Mr. Zakir Syed (MoIT), and Dr. Mirza Habib Ali (PSF).
Panel 2, “Industry, Job Creation and Global Integration,” moderated by Engr. Ahsan Mirza, examined pathways for industrial scaling and employment generation. The panel was led by Mr. Jafar Safdar (CEO, Arcana Semi) and included Dr. Tahir Awan (AqlTech Solutions), Mr. Toor Khan (South Asia Semiconductor Ltd.), Air Commodore (R) Farhan Masood Butt (Quantum Computing Lab), and Dr. Muhammad Umer Alvi (128 Technologies).
Panel 3, “Semiconductors from the Academic Lens: Status and the Way Forward,” moderated by Dr. Asma Mansoor, explored academia’s role in talent pipelines, research, and innovation, featuring Prof. Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti (Retired Rector, Virtual University), Dr. Shafaat Ahmed Bazaz (BNU), Dr. Muhammad Yasir Qadri (NECOP), Dr. Hammad M. Cheema (NUST), and Dr. Hassan Saif (FAST-NU).
The conference also featured recorded international contributions, including Dr. Naveed Sherwani, S.O.A., H.I., Chief Executive Officer of the National Semiconductor Hub, Saudi Arabia, and Advisor to Pakistan’s National Semiconductor Plan, who shared insights on global integration and ecosystem-building. Dr. Farhat Jahangir, Founder and CEO of GS Microelectronics (GSME), highlighted manufacturing, OSAT operations, and quality assurance pathways, reaffirming his support for Pakistan’s semiconductor ambitions.
Overall, the roundtable reaffirmed IIUI’s role—under the leadership of President Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed—as a national thought leader and institutional anchor capable of translating policy vision, academic strength, and industry engagement into a coherent and future-facing semiconductor ecosystem for Pakistan. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed lauded the efforts of the team of the Business Incubation Center and the Protocol and Public Relations Team for their diligent efforts in the successful execution of this event.