From Concept to Reality: Why Pakistan is Falling Behind in the Global Digital Twin Race – An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

Digital twin technology has emerged as a transformative tool for smart cities, Industry 4.0, and sustainable infrastructure globally. However, Pakistan lags in adoption despite its potential to address critical challenges in urbanization, manufacturing, and climate resilience. This empirical study investigates the barriers hindering Pakistan’s progress in digital twin deployment through a mixed-methods approach, combining survey data from 150 industry experts, case studies of failed/successful pilots, and macroeconomic policy analysis. Findings reveal that lack of IoT infrastructure, high implementation costs, skill gaps, and weak policy frameworks contribute to Pakistan’s slow adoption. Comparative analysis with India, China, and Bangladesh highlights actionable strategies for accelerating digital twin integration. The study proposes a five-year roadmap for policymakers, emphasizing public-private partnerships, localized training programs, and incentivized pilot projects.

Keywords: Digital twins, Pakistan, Industry 4.0, IoT, Smart cities, Policy gaps