- Viper Group champions Pakistan’s self-reliance in technology
- SIFC’s swift, structured support stands out as a catalyst for local tech growth
Interview with Mr. Khushnood Aftab, Chairman, Viper Group
PAGE: You’ve been a vocal advocate for “Made in Pakistan.” Why do you believe this movement is critical across all sectors?
Khushnood Aftab: It’s simple. If we don’t trust or use what we make at home, how can we expect the world to buy from us? This applies across industries, whether it’s clothing, machinery, processed food, or software. Local adoption must come before global recognition. No country has succeeded in exports without first building confidence in its own products. We expect buyers abroad to choose our products, but here in Pakistan, many institutional buyers, especially in the public sector, skip quality local options and prefer expensive multinational brands. That mindset needs to change.
PAGE: In your experience, what’s the biggest hurdle to this mindset shift?
Khushnood Aftab: It’s no longer about quality or performance. The real issues are perception and inconsistent policies. Many public sector tenders are written to favor specific foreign brands by name, even when local companies meet all technical standards. This limits fair competition and weakens our local industry and economic independence. However, we’ve seen mobile phones assembled in Pakistan take over the market. That shift happened because of policy direction, incentives, and demand. The same success is possible in IT hardware, agri-tech, smart energy, and software, if the system supports it.
PAGE: Among the government institutions, who’s enabling this change, and where are the gaps?
Khushnood Aftab: Without a doubt, SIFC, the Special Investment Facilitation Council, has been the most supportive and forward-thinking partner. Their approach is structured, responsive, and focused on getting results. They don’t just listen, they take action. The problem is that the rest of the system is still lagging. Procurement policies, import duties, and a lack of incentives continue to burden local manufacturers. For example, importing a fully built unit often costs less than importing components for assembly. That’s counterproductive. If other departments followed the same pace and clarity as SIFC, the “Made in Pakistan” movement would grow much faster.
PAGE: Let’s talk specifically about the tech sector. Where does Pakistan stand today in terms of local production?
Khushnood Aftab: Pakistan has made quiet but steady progress. Aside from mobile phones, local companies like Viper Group are producing AI-powered desktops, tablets, and enterprise solutions. We’re also seeing locally developed SaaS products, AI tools, and embedded systems making headway. These aren’t experimental projects. They’re being used by banks, universities, defense institutions, and SMEs. Interestingly, the private sector adopts them faster than public organizations, which still tend to favor big brands over national value.
PAGE: What is Viper Group’s role in this landscape?
Khushnood Aftab: Viper has been assembling computers and developing software in Pakistan for almost 30 years. We’re now launching AI-based PCs, building tablets for education, offering SaaS for workplace automation, and running a training program through Viper Academy. We are also preparing to expand our manufacturing operations with a new facility in Punjab. This will help create jobs, reduce imports, and support export ambitions. Our aim goes beyond assembling hardware. We want to show that high-performance, enterprise-grade technology can be built, supported, and scaled in Pakistan.
PAGE: Can you share examples of where local has succeeded, but still isn’t fully trusted?
Khushnood Aftab: Absolutely. Many private organizations, including banks and hospitals, use Viper systems. They’ve benefited from reduced costs, improved service, and strong performance. Yet, government departments often insist on foreign brands that are twice as expensive without delivering better results. It’s an outdated mindset. Once again, the success of mobile phone manufacturing proves that local solutions thrive when supported by policy and public trust. There’s no reason the same can’t happen in computing, networking, and software.
PAGE: Final thoughts, what’s your message to policymakers, buyers, and the public?
Khushnood Aftab: The world is changing fast. Countries that don’t build their own future are left behind. Pakistan is ready. We have the talent, the resources, and the will. What we need is collective effort. Policymakers must support local. Institutions should prioritise local. And the public must trust local.
“Made in Pakistan” is more than a label. It’s a national strategy. Being Proudly Pakistani means choosing local whenever possible. Because if we don’t invest in ourselves, no one else will.