ISLAMABAD: In line with the National Industrial Policy to strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions, the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National University of Technology (NUTECH) and the NED University of Engineering and Technology (UET) to establish country’s first-ever Centre for Industrial Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (CIINAI)
The MoU was signed here on Thursday to transform Pakistan into a modern, technology-driven industrial economy by establishing the CIINAI.
Under the collaborative framework, the PIDC will establish and manage the Centre, while NUTECH and NED UET will provide research, innovation and technical expertise, creating a robust ecosystem linking academia, research and industry.
The MoU was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of PIDC, Rizwan Ahmed Bhatti, the Registrar of NUTECH, Brig.(Retd.) Salman Zafar, and the Vice Chancellor of the NED UET, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tufail.
Addressing the ceremony as the chief guest, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, said that the centre would create new opportunities for engineers, researchers, innovators, and industrialists while fostering innovation, technical excellence, and workforce development.
Equipped with advanced manufacturing machinery and AI-driven technologies, CIINAI would help integrate Pakistan into the global industrial AI and 3D manufacturing value chain.
The centre would be established by the PIDC at its Korangi Creek Industrial Park (KCIP), Karachi, where it would function as a common facility and training centre.
It would provide industrial AI solutions, advanced manufacturing support services, applied research and development, technical training and capacity-building programmes under a sustainable operational model.
He said that the center would play a transformative role in accelerating industrial modernization by integrating advanced manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence and applied research on a single platform. He added that the initiative would enhance industrial productivity, improve product quality, optimize manufacturing processes and strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said the government was committed to aligning Pakistan’s industrial sector with global technological advancements and promoting the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across manufacturing industries.
He said that strong partnership between industry and universities form the foundation of a modern, knowledge-based economy.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said that the government would continue to extend every possible support for the promotion of advanced technologies, innovation and industrial research.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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