Pakistan's Prime Minister pushes for accelerated development of the IT park in Islamabad, aiming to generate $30 billion in exports.
Islamabad's IT Park: A Priority for Pakistan's Digital Growth
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given the green light for the speedy completion of the Islamabad Technology Park, a state-of-the-art facility that is set to revolutionise Pakistan's IT sector. The project, which covers an expansive 720,000 square feet, is scheduled for inauguration on Pakistan's Independence Day, August 14.
The IT Park, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), is designed to boost Pakistan’s IT sector by creating job opportunities for youth, accelerating economic growth, and enhancing IT exports with a target to raise them from $3.8 billion to $30 billion.
The park is equipped with modern office spaces, an incubation center, R&D labs, a Tier III data center, a business support center, an auditorium, and parking for 1,200 vehicles. The prime minister has emphasised the need for world-class facilities in the project and has expressed displeasure over the slow pace of construction.
The prime minister has also urged concrete annual targets and reforms to accelerate digital growth in Pakistan. He stated that a complete digital ecosystem and infrastructure is being introduced to take Pakistan's IT exports to $30 billion. This forms part of a broader digital infrastructure strategy to modernize Pakistan’s economy through digitization and improved technology capabilities.
The project, initially due for completion in March 2025, has faced delays. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered fast-tracking of the project, emphasizing world-class standards and timely completion as a national priority for boosting Pakistan’s digital economy and global IT competitiveness.
The IT sector generated $3.8 billion in export revenue during the last fiscal year, marking a 19% year-on-year increase. The government aims to increase IT exports to $30 billion by expanding the digital ecosystem, attracting foreign investment, and exploring new markets such as the Gulf region. The Technology Park is expected to create significant job opportunities for youth, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, support startups, and strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global IT market.
In summary, the fast-tracked completion of Islamabad’s IT Park is a critical initiative aligned with Pakistan’s strategic goal to become a major global IT hub by providing world-class facilities, boosting exports, and accelerating digital economic growth. The project is a testament to the government's commitment to prioritise the IT sector, seeking new markets and foreign investment to bridge the digital divide in Pakistan and propel the country towards a brighter, more digitally-enabled future.
[1] Pakistan Today, "IT Park in Islamabad to Boost Digital Economy", link [2] Dawn, "PM Orders Fast-Tracking of IT Park Project", link [3] The Express Tribune, "Islamabad’s IT Park: A Leap Forward for Pakistan’s Digital Economy", link [4] Business Recorder, "PM Shehbaz Sharif Inspects Islamabad Technology Park", link [5] ProPakistani, "Islamabad Technology Park: A Game Changer for Pakistan’s IT Industry", link
- The Prime Minister has expressed a strong focus on enhancing Pakistan's IT sector, as evidenced by the emphasis on world-class facilities in the Islamabad Technology Park project and the goal to raise IT exports from $3.8 billion to $30 billion.
- In line with the goal to make Pakistan a major global IT hub, the government is prioritizing the completion of the Islamabad Technology Park in a timely manner, aiming to revolutionize the country's digital economy and global IT competitiveness.
- To achieve this goal, the IT Park, equipped with modern facilities, will create jobs, foster innovation, attract foreign investment, and explore new markets, with a particular focus on the Gulf region, thereby bridging the digital divide in Pakistan and propelling the country towards a brighter, more digitally-enabled future.
