‘Quantum computing and Pakistan’s future’

This is apropos a letter to the Editor titled “Quantum computing and Pakistan’s future” carried by the newspaper in recent days.

Yet perhaps the greatest contribution of quantum computing would not be technical but strategic. Nations often fail not because they lack resources but because they lack clarity. They pursue multiple objectives simultaneously without understanding trade-offs. They change direction frequently. They implement policies without fully appreciating long-term consequences. Quantum computing could provide policymakers with an unprecedented ability to evaluate competing strategies before committing national resources.

Pakistan also faces important capacity constraints that must be acknowledged. The country currently has a limited pool of quantum physicists, quantum engineers, and specialized researchers. Research funding remains constrained relative to leading technological nations. Advanced laboratory infrastructure is still developing, and broader challenges in education, digital connectivity, data quality, and institutional coordination could slow adoption. Even if powerful quantum systems become available globally, Pakistan’s ability to benefit from them will depend heavily on investments made today in human capital, scientific research, and technological ecosystems.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026