After being a part of the team that developed Intel’s Pentium microprocessor, I returned to my motherland in the year 1992 hoping to develop the local Semiconductor industry. The struggle continued for ten long years (1992—2002). Putting the pieces together continues to be a major challenge in the land of the pure.

The journey from romance to finance is not fully understood. At the end of the day there must be a sound business to generate revenue. Commercialization and application of technology remains an unsurmountable challenge.

As Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (2002-2005) my focus then shifted to the mining sector that also included the development of Thar Coal deposit as an energy resource for the country. This time the focus shifted from electronics to energy with the challenge of putting the pieces together. Mining has started at Thar with inexpensive power generation now Gasification is being carried out for wider, cleaner use of the huge Black Gold deposit (175 billion tons) that can cater to the energy needs of the nation for over two centuries.

After reading the news SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council) unveils plan to give a boost to Semiconductor industry, I decided to share the work already undertaken in this vital sector. The ’ Pakistan National Semiconductor Plan ’ (PNSP) of January 2022 is a comprehensive document that covers all aspects of technology development in this sector. The plan focusses on the design aspect followed by testing and manufacturing. The value chain starts with education. It proposes the establishment of a cabinet........

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