{
  "id": 7803566,
  "title": "‘New pathway for the future’: Quantum Valley Pakistan launched in Islamabad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/new-pathway-for-the-future-quantum-valley-pakistan-launched-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T14:36:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2030382/new-pathway-for-the-future-quantum-valley-pakistan-launched-in-islamabad"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Quantum Valley Pakistan, a project akin to America's Silicon Valley, was inaugurated in Islamabad on Wednesday by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who served as the chief guest. The Planning Ministry characterized Quantum Valley Pakistan as a venture designed to link academia, entrepreneurs, government, and investors, transforming \"knowledge into solutions, startups into scalable ventures, and innovation into national impact.\" The project aims to provide new avenues for Pakistani talent in areas such as AI, quantum computing, fintech, agritech, biotechnology, medtech, digital solutions, and autonomous technologies.\n\nCalifornia's venture capital firm Plug and Play and the Cambridge Innovation Centre joined forces with the government for the project. Iqbal, during the ceremony, declared, \"We are actually setting a new pathway for Pakistan's future.\" He affirmed that Pakistan is prepared for an innovation boom, emphasizing that the collaboration would bring the \"best of innovation in the world and the United States\" to Pakistan. Iqbal described the partnership as a \"unique opportunity\" for the country's technology sector, stating that the paradigm of national progress had shifted in the 21st century, with \"brain power\" becoming a crucial factor for development.\n\nIqbal highlighted that the foundations for growth being established through Quantum Valley would enable Pakistan's youth to compete globally in terms of technological advancement and startups. He remarked that Pakistan had witnessed numerous successes in recent years, including the Marka-i-Haq initiative and diplomatic efforts during the US-Iran war. However, he pointed out that without a robust economy, these achievements could fade over time. Alluding to Marka-i-Haq, Iqbal stressed the need to seize the opportunity of \"Marka-i-Taraqi\" and strive for a $1 trillion economy by 2035 under the Uraan Pakistan initiative. He added that the economy should grow to $3 trillion by 2047, marking the country's centenary. Uraan Pakistan is a Planning Ministry initiative aimed at advancing key projects and reforms outlined in the 5Es National Economic Transformation Plan.\n\nThe ceremony concluded with the inauguration of the Global Venture Acceleration Programme for local startups, which would provide mentorship over 15 weeks, along with a two-week global immersion experience in Silicon Valley or Boston.",
  "summary": "Quantum Valley Pakistan, a project likened to America’s Silicon Valley, was launched in Islamabad on Wednesday, with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal as the chief guest. The Planning Ministry described Quantum Valley Pakistan as a project aimed at connecting academia, entrepreneurs, government and investors to turn “knowledge into solutions, startups…",
  "key_points": [
    "Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal inaugurates Quantum Valley Pakistan in Islamabad",
    "Project aims to link academia, entrepreneurs, government, and investors"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "‘New pathway for the future’: Quantum Valley Pakistan launched in Islamabad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/new-pathway-for-the-future-quantum-valley-pakistan-launched-in-7807307",
        "published": "2026-09-16T14:36:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}