What happened
The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has signed an agreement with the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) and NED University of Engineering and Technology to roll out a semiconductor upskilling initiative under the Prime Minister’s National Semiconductor HR Development Programme.
The collaboration focuses on a specialised training programme to build expertise in digital design and verification, two core areas of the global semiconductor industry. The initiative is backed by a funding allocation of Rs4.844 billion and is scheduled to begin in May 2026.
The agreement was formalised in the presence of senior stakeholders, including PSEB leadership and academic heads from the participating institutions.
Why it matters
The programme is part of an effort to strengthen Pakistan’s talent pipeline in advanced technology and to position the country as a competitive participant in the global semiconductor ecosystem. Digital design and verification are skills-intensive roles that sit early in the chip-development chain, where demand for trained engineers is high.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Khawaja said the initiative highlights the government’s focus on preparing young professionals for participation in advanced technology sectors, according to the report.
What is still uncertain
The report did not detail how many students the programme will train in its first cohort, how places will be allocated between the two universities, or how the Rs4.844 billion will be spent across institutions and equipment. It also did not say whether the training will lead to formal certification or guaranteed industry placements, leaving those operational questions open ahead of the May 2026 start.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published material, not original reporting. Sources were reviewed on 9 April 2026.
- Primary source — Digital Pakistan: PSEB Launches Semiconductor Training Program With Universities9 April 2026 · Confirms the PSEB agreement with GIKI and NED University, the digital design and verification focus, the Rs4.844 billion allocation, the May 2026 start and IT Minister Shaza Khawaja's statement.
