MoU signed to establish Pakistan’s first industrial innovation, AI centre

The Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), National University of Technology (NUTECH), Islamabad, and NED University of Engineering and Technology (NED UET), Karachi, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Pakistan’s first-ever Center for Industrial Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (CIINAI), aimed at accelerating industrial modernization through advanced technologies

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2026) The Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), National University of Technology (NUTECH), Islamabad, and NED University of Engineering and Technology (NED UET), Karachi, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Pakistan’s first-ever Center for Industrial Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (CIINAI), aimed at accelerating industrial modernization through advanced technologies.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at NUTECH, marking a significant step towards strengthening collaboration among industry, academia and government to promote innovation, artificial intelligence and research-driven industrial development.

The initiative is being implemented by PIDC under the leadership of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, and is aligned with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of transforming Pakistan into a modern, technology-driven industrial economy.

The proposed CIINAI will serve as a national platform for fostering innovation, supporting applied research, facilitating technology transfer, and developing AI-based industrial solutions to enhance productivity, competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.

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Addressing the signing ceremony, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan said the establishment of CIINAI marks a historic milestone in Pakistan’s industrial development.

He emphasized that under the National Industrial Policy, strengthening collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions remains one of the government’s foremost priorities.

He said, the center would play a transformative role in accelerating industrial modernization by integrating advanced manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence and applied research under one platform.

Haroon said, the initiative would enhance industrial productivity, improve product quality, optimize manufacturing processes and strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.

He said, government was committed to aligning Pakistan’s industrial sector with global technological advancements and promoting the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across manufacturing industries.

He remarked that strong partnerships between industry and universities form the foundation of a modern and knowledge-based economy.