Pakistan lagging behind in embracing 4th industrial revolution

NUT official says strategy needed to take benefit of technological progress

FAISALABAD: Integrating modern sciences with the social fabric is imperative to fully harvest benefits of recent technological developments, said National University of Technology Islamabad (NUT) Chief Coordinator Colonel Bakhtiar Asif.

Speaking at a meeting at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on the promotion of fourth industrial revolution in Pakistan, Asif said a comprehensive strategy should be evolved to take Pakistan into the ranks of countries embracing the fourth industrial revolution.

He emphasised that the industrial revolution was now entering a new phase of digitalisation, after successfully harvesting benefits of cutting-edge technology of computers and IT.



"Developed countries are moving towards the fourth industrial revolution, but we are lagging far behind in this area," he decried. "We are unable to manufacture chains of motorcycles and hence, we must sensitise our industries to switch to new technologies, which are not only cost-effective, but are also compatible with international standards."

Asif pointed out that Pakistan had abundant raw material and its focus should be on value addition to export value-added products to potential markets. "In this respect, we must switch to the fourth industrial revolution."



FCCI Senior Vice President Mian Tanveer Ahmed said population-wise, Faisalabad was the third major city, which had an important position in industrial and commercial sectors.

He said textile was the iconic representation of the city, but other sectors were also playing their role in the development of Faisalabad as well as Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2019.

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