Pakistan is poised to make significant advances in the field of quantum technology. National Centre for Quantum Computing This was announced by Minister of Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal. The initiative marks a significant step towards overcoming the global quantum divide, provided Pakistan can overcome associated challenges such as economic constraints and significant brain drain.
The quantum technology market is growing rapidly worldwide. Estimated to be $106 billion by 2040This growth is driven by strong investment. Private investors put in $1.5 million $1 billion will be pumped into quantum startups in 2023 alone. Public sector investment is also significant. $38 billion worldwideThe United States, the European Union and Canada jointly $3 billion in 2022China A staggering $15.3 billion Total investment amount.
Despite these global advances, Quantum Fission The majority of countries lack a national quantum commitment, creating a wide gap in technological capabilities and economic opportunity. Countries without a robust quantum technology infrastructure risk falling behind, increasing their cyber vulnerabilities, and struggling to compete in the global economy.
For Pakistan, this disparity is of particular concern. Kaspersky Lab Pakistan is one of the least protected countries On the cybersecurity front, it highlights the urgent need to bolster defenses as countries move into quantum technology fields.
India’s ambitious quantum vision further highlights the challenges facing Pakistan. India’s investment in quantum technology will not only strengthen the country’s technological capabilities, but also poses strategic challenges for Pakistan. India is also National Quantum Mission, Approximately $740 million invested For eight years, India America, Australiaand Russia We will focus on quantum technologies and develop strategic partnerships to strengthen our own capabilities and position in the global quantum field.
The Indian Army’s focus is Quantum Computing Integration Pakistan’s investments in defense systems highlight the potential for a major shift in the regional balance of power. Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Muneer acknowledged the moves, saying: Pakistan’s Quantum Computing Investments To maintain strategic balance.
However, Pakistan’s efforts to make the quantum initiative a success are hampered by several challenges, the most pressing being the ongoing brain drain. From 1971 to 2022, Over 6 million Highly qualified and skilled professionals including doctors, engineers and IT professionals have migrated from Pakistan. In 2022 alone, 92,000 highly educated professionals left the countryalmost 200,000 people emigrated In the first three months of 2023, this trend poses significant challenges to Pakistan’s efforts to build and sustain a strong quantum technology sector.
The exodus of young, educated professionals is particularly problematic in countries with high literacy rates and low levels of education. According to the Pakistan Institute for Development Economics: 67 percent of Pakistani youth No one wants to leave the country, and the statistics highlight the difficulty of recruiting talent for quantum projects and bringing back experts from abroad — a challenge compounded by Pakistan’s economic situation. Currently covered by IMF programsThis imposes severe financial constraints and increases the risks associated with investing in costly technologies like quantum computing.
Pakistan’s startup culture Lagging behind many regional peersThe quantum field faces a number of challenges that make private investment difficult: Quantum computers and the technology needed to operate them are currently prohibitively expensive. A basic quantum processor can cost millions of dollars, The cooling systems needed to keep quantum computers running (often at temperatures close to absolute zero) also add to costs. Setting up quantum computing labs at universities is also difficult. Many public institutions Universities are struggling to pay salaries To employees.
Considering these obstacles, Pakistan united nations’ 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and TechnologyThis global recognition is an opportunity for Pakistan to seek UN assistance in strengthening its quantum infrastructure. International collaboration with quantum-advanced countries such as the United States and China will provide the expertise, resources and technical know-how needed to accelerate Pakistan’s quantum technology development. Additionally, improving education, creating economic opportunities and nurturing a national innovation system are important steps Pakistan must take.
In conclusion, the establishment of a National Centre for Quantum Computing is crucial for Pakistan and provides a path to closing the quantum divide. By fostering international collaboration and retaining talent despite economic constraints, brain drain and cybersecurity challenges, we can secure Pakistan’s quantum future, promising industrial growth, job creation and enhanced security.
