ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered the project team of Islamabad Technology Park and the Ministry of Information Technology to complete the project in the current calendar year, instead of the initially scheduled date of June 2025.
During his visit to the under-construction site of Pakistan’s largest Islamabad Technology Park, the prime minister said that the project was initiated in 2022 under the coalition government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), with a contract awarded to a South Korean company.
The project, costing Rs 25 billion, includes a $70 million soft loan from the South Korean government.
“Upon assuming office, I immediately directed continuous work on the project,” remarked PM Shehbaz Sharif, citing his prior experience as Chief Minister of Punjab where 24-hour work cycles were introduced for development projects.
Expressing satisfaction with the project’s progress, PM Shehbaz Sharif urged the project management to aim for completion by September or October this year.
Upon completion, the Technology Park will host 120 offices of various companies, an incubation center with 15 offices for startups, and a business support center offering comprehensive legal, marketing, and financial services.
PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the IT Park will generate 10,000 jobs for skilled workers and contribute significantly to increasing the country’s exports by approximately US$70 million annually. Additionally, the Park will house a level 3 data center, the first of its kind in Pakistan.
The prime minister underscored that Islamabad Technology Park will foster collaboration between domestic and foreign academia, researchers, industry, and planners. He pledged to replicate similar projects in other regions with the cooperation of provincial governments.
PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to the South Korean government for its generous support towards the project.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja accompanied the prime minister during his visit.
