Islamabad: Pakistan in order to bridge the gender-based digital divide has decided to launch its first software technology park for women in February 2025 in Azad Kashmir.
It was decided in a meeting of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) the other day. The meeting was chaired by Pakistan’s State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima.
The initiative aims to bridge the region’s gender-based digital divide and promote women’s participation in the tech industry,
The meeting reviewed the overall performance of Pakistan’s IT sector, The Express Tribune reported.
10 new technology parks
This move is part of a broader government plan, revealed in May, to establish 10 new software technology parks across the country by next year, including one in the capital, Islamabad. These parks will feature incubation centres, facilities to support start-ups, and will aim to expand Pakistan’s digital landscape, increase IT exports, and promote gender inclusivity in the tech sector, The Express Tribune reported.
Minister’s statement
An official statement from the minister’s office quoted her saying, “The initiative [in Azad Kashmir] underscores our dedication to creating equal opportunities for women and ensuring their meaningful participation in Pakistan’s digital economy.”
Currently, women make up 20 percent of the workforce in PSEB-supported technology parks, which collectively employ over 18,000 export professionals across 43 IT parks in Pakistan.
Looking ahead, the PSEB aims to empower 25,000 freelancers by 2027 by establishing 250 e-Employment Centres and expanding the country’s IT sector internationally.
