The California-based robotics company released footage of human-like folding of six towels, completing each in about 22 seconds. PHOTO: CNET
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged all stakeholders to become part of a unified national innovation ecosystem and stressed the need to develop indigenous knowledge and technological capabilities in Pakistan.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of “Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026”, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan must embrace the technological revolution while ensuring that its benefits reach all sections of the society.
“Let our universities, research and development centers, startups, industries and farmers become part of one national innovation ecosystem and ensure that the knowledge behind these technologies is indigenous, owned and continuously advanced in Pakistan,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the revolution of robots and autonomous systems should not remain limited to advanced economies, large companies or major cities.
Instead, he said, it should become a catalyst for inclusive growth by improving the lives of farmers, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, young innovators and underserved communities in Pakistan and the Global South.
The prime minister highlighted the rapid development of new technologies and said their increasing power also placed a greater responsibility on governments and stakeholders.
As these technologies become more powerful, the Prime Minister said, their responsibilities also grow simultaneously.
“We must establish clear regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure that autonomous systems are safe, secure, transparent and always used for the benefit of humanity,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to promote innovation and technological development while ensuring that new technologies are implemented responsibly and inclusively for sustainable national progress.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Defense and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, experts, industrialists, entrepreneurs, foreign delegates, brands, companies and students.
