Pakistan’s Planning Minister, Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the country’s first locally manufactured ventilator, AlnnoVent, on Monday, describing it as a milestone in achieving technological self-reliance.
The AlnnoVent AVB-100, developed by Karachi-based Alsons Group, received approval from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) last month after passing clinical trials.
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It is an electro-mechanical ICU ventilator meeting international standards, offering five invasive and two non-invasive ventilation modes, making it suitable for various critical care needs.
Addressing the launch event, Iqbal lauded Alsons Group for its innovation and highlighted the importance of local manufacturing in tackling challenges like the ventilator shortages witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged Pakistan’s private sector to embrace innovation and develop export-worthy products to boost the economy.
“We need a generation of innovators who combine skill, ambition, and intelligence to drive our nation forward,” Iqbal remarked, emphasizing the government’s support for export-oriented private sector initiatives.
This development comes amid Pakistan’s ongoing economic challenges, including a weakened currency and depleting foreign reserves. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has stressed the importance of adopting an export-led economic model for sustainable growth.
Iqbal also encouraged businesses to leverage the country’s affordable workforce to create globally competitive products, underscoring the private sector’s role in shaping Pakistan’s economic future.