The Future of Quantum Computing In PAKISTAN

Where does Pakistan stand in the Quantum Computing race?

Pakistan and Quantum Computing where do we Stand

There were times when AI, Machine Learning and Big Data were considered the next big things in the Computing World, however if we look around these days, it seems like the future is now, these technologies have become part of our daily life, let it be self driving cars, AI Powered Drones or Data Driven Machine learning applications used in cancer prognosis. All these technologies are the new “Norm”.

So the Question arises what’s the next Big thing, is it the Metaverse, NFTs, Crypto currency or Something else. In my Opinion The next revolutionary technology that is going to shape the world in the upcoming decades would be “Quantum Computers”.

So What is Quantum Computing ?

Quantum computing is a sophisticated approach to making parallel calculations, using the physics that governs subatomic particles to replace the more simplistic transistors in today’s computers.

If that statement went over your head, don’t worry, its pretty much the case with many people, if someone claims they know everything about Quantum Computers and the Physics behind it, well, they are either being sarcastic or untruthful (lying). Because despite extensive research, scientists and experts still have to solve several mysteries and unknowns about Quantum Computing.

Explaining Quantum Computing to a 6 Year Old

So lets try to explain Quantum Computing in a way a 6 Years old will understand. Imagine you decided to give out candies on a Birthday Party, you have a bowl full of candies and you need to give candies as fast as you can using your hands. doesn’t matter how fast you try to give out the candies you will eventually reach a limit lets say 1000 candies per minute you simply cannot go over a certain limit, Now imagine an Octopus with 8 hands doing the same task well it could reach speeds up to 8000 candies per minute. This is the key difference between your Ordinary Digital Computer and a Quantum Computer, our digital computers are like 2 Hands 1’s and 0’s doesn’t matter how fast we do the processing we will eventually reach a limit, on the other hand Quantum Computers uses quantum bits, or qubits which are different states of 1’s and 0’s allowing more set of possibilities and hence allowing a concept called parallel processing which significantly increases the computing power and opens new range of Possibilities.

So where does Pakistan Stand in Quantum Computing Race ?

Considering limited resources and lack of Government focus on R&D there is very little done by the government in the field of Quantum Computing Research, however two prominent institutions have started exploring the field of Quantum Computing, LUMS and NUST Universities are among the pioneers of Quantum Computing Research in Pakistan. Following is a list of Institutions, Events and Media Reports covering Quantum Computing.

1. Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS): Dr. Adam Zaman and his Team is conducting research in Pakistan's only Private research school of science and engineering Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering. (Click here for more details about there work).
2. Pakistan International Conference on Quantum Information & Computation (PICQIC): In collaboration with NUST and NCP, The PICQIC held a conference to give opportunity to students, early researchers and experts to know about quantum technologies and interact with field experts. (Click here for more details about the conference).
3. The Express Tribune: Article Published on June 30, 2021 by Yarjan Abdul Samad, emphasizes The need for quantum technology in Pakistan.
4. QuantuC: The quantum computing group at the department of physics at LUMS, their team is working on the applications of quantum computers with a focus on quantum chemistry, quantum algorithms, and machine learning. (Go to https://quantuc.org/ for more details).
5. International THE NEWS: Dr. Sahibzada Ali Mahmud wrote an Article about Quantum supremacy and how super powers are trying to dominate each other, he also emphasized how Important it is for Pakistan to create a critical mass of experts in Quantum Computing and other Tech Areas. (Read the Article Here)

To Summarize Pakistan significantly lag behinds other countries in Quantum Computing Research and its Practical Implementation looks a far fetched Dream.

But! if there is a will there’s a way:

Considering the fact that Quantum Computing Research is Resource intensive and requires a lot of financial and technological backing to be carried out. There is a way Pakistan can contribute and excel in the field of Quantum Computing and that is “Quantum Computer Programming”.

Introducing Q# Programming Language:

Q# is a Microsoft’s open-source programming language for developing and running quantum algorithms. It’s part of the Quantum Development Kit (QDK), which offers a set of tools that will assist you in the quantum software development process. The QDK includes quantum libraries that let you create complex quantum operations, and quantum simulators to accurately run and test programs. (Click here for More Information)

Interested to Learn More, Join KelperSoft Today

KelperSoft is a UK Based Startup founded by a Pakistani Computer Programmer Abdul Hannan Fiaz, The Aim of KelperSoft is to educate, collaborate and develop Prototypes and Ideas using Q# Programming Language and Microsoft Tech stack. If you are interested to Join us in our Journey and want to take a deeper dive in this exciting field of Quantum Programming follow us at Kelpersoft.com