Karachi: Pakistan has finalized its National Semiconductor Cluster Framework as NED University of Engineering & Technology joins the Semiconductor Education & Research Cluster (SERC). This development was marked by a formal contract signing that took place during the Fintech Roundtable 2026, attended by Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Governor of Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi.

According to Press Information Department, the agreement designates NED as the lead institution for the South Region, complementing the roles of NUST for the North Region and ESUPAK-UET Lahore for the Central Region. This completes the SERC institutional agreements under the National Semiconductor Human Resource Development Program (NSHRDP), also known as INSPIRE, within the program’s inaugural year. The initiative aims to train 270 students across Pakistan, contributing to a national goal of developing over 7,200 semiconductor professionals by 2030.

Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating that it positions Pakistan to compete in the global semiconductor market. Governor Hashmi echoed these sentiments, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-based economy. With the SERC clusters now operational, INSPIRE is set to advance into full-scale implementation, nurturing a new generation of semiconductor talent to drive Pakistan’s digital and economic growth.