The development was announced on August 29, 2026, following a ceremony in Karachi attended by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi.

Pakistan Completes National Semiconductor Cluster Framework With NED Partnership

Under an agreement between the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and NED University, NED has been officially designated as the lead university for the South Region under SERC.

NUST is already serving as the lead institution for the North Region, while ESUPAK-UET Lahore represents the Central Region. With the latest agreement, all institutional agreements under the National Semiconductor Human Resource Development Program (NSHRDP), also known as the INSPIRE program, have been completed.

Three Regional Semiconductor Clusters Now Operational

The completion of these agreements means Pakistan now has three formal semiconductor education and research clusters covering the country’s northern, central and southern regions.

The government says the initiative will help develop local expertise in semiconductor technology and prepare students for opportunities in the global semiconductor industry.

Under the current SERC intake, 270 students from across Pakistan are receiving semiconductor-related training across the three regions. The program forms part of a larger national goal to train more than 7,200 semiconductor professionals by 2030.

Speaking at the event, Shaza Fatima Khawaja described the agreement as an important step toward building a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem in Pakistan.

She said the INSPIRE program is not only focused on training students but also aims to create a foundation that can help Pakistan become a stronger participant in the global semiconductor value chain.

Focus on Semiconductor Skills

Pakistan is increasingly looking to develop its technology workforce in areas such as chip design, semiconductor engineering and advanced electronics. Building a skilled workforce is considered an important part of establishing a domestic semiconductor industry.

The regional SERC structure is designed to give students access to specialized education and research opportunities. Bringing universities from different parts of the country into the program could also help expand semiconductor training beyond major technology centers.

Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi said the partnership reflects the government’s focus on developing a knowledge-based economy. He also expressed confidence that the initiative would help prepare young people to take advantage of opportunities in the international semiconductor sector.

INSPIRE Enters Full Implementation Phase

With all three SERC clusters now formally established, the INSPIRE program has moved into its full implementation phase.

The government hopes the program will create a new generation of Pakistani semiconductor professionals while supporting the country’s broader digital and economic goals.

The target of producing more than 7,200 trained professionals by 2030 represents a major expansion of semiconductor education in Pakistan. If the program continues to grow, it could provide the country with a larger pool of skilled workers capable of contributing to the global semiconductor supply chain.