The federal government has planned to establish ten new Software and Information Technology (IT) Parks across Pakistan by next year. This was stated during a briefing by the Ministry of Information Technology at a high-level meeting in Islamabad, which was chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Briefing the prime minister about the IT Parks, the ministry officials said that Islamabad’s IT Park, established through South Korean cooperation, would be completed by 2025. This facility would feature startups, banks, restaurants, incubation centers, and other facilities. Plus, a new IT Park, which is supported by South Korea, near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, is set to be finished by 2027. In this research article, our Tashheer research team exposed the Government’s ambitious plan for IT Parks in Pakistan. For more information on the thriving startup ecosystem, check out our detailed guide on the 12 Best Startup Centers & Incubators in Pakistan.
Plans for New IT Parks
Moreover, 43 software technology parks have been established in 20 cities of Pakistan. By 2025, around 100 new E-Rozgaar centers and ten new software technology parks will be developed. Speaking at an event, Prime Minister said that the building of IT parks will increase country’s IT growth and exports and provide facilities to start-ups. He directed that the construction of Islamabad IT Park be completed as soon as possible. The prime minister was also directed to conduct a third-party evaluation of the performance of software technology parks.
Need for IT Parks in Technology Growth
IT Sector is one of the fastest expanding sectors in Pakistan, contributing about 1% of Pakistan’s GDP of about 3.5 billion USD. Pakistan’s ICT market size was valued at US$ 15.10 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 15.31 billion by 2027. Over the period 2022-2027, ICT providers are expected to generate a cumulative revenue of US$ 90.68 billion. IT parks also known as research or science parks are specialized areas that promote innovation in Pakistan. These software technology parks would not only create job opportunities for IT experts in Pakistan but also attract millions of dollars in valuable foreign currency and increase IT exports, once they are completed and become fully operational. To learn more about the potential career opportunities in this evolving sector, read our comprehensive analysis on the The Future of Tech Jobs in Pakistan: Opportunities and Trends.
Economic Impact and Opportunities
By attracting foreign investment and creating high-paying jobs, they will contribute substantially to Pakistan’s GDP. With digital growth going through a rapid revolution, Pakistan is moving towards establishing a dynamic network of information technology (IT) parks to expand its digital industry in Pakistan.
People often, if not always, rely on IT tools in different walks of life, from the economy to banking, governance to healthcare, education to political campaigns, shopping to routine communication. Additionally, building strong IT ecosystem will open up golden opportunities for Pakistani people in demanding fields such as Blockchain, Artificial intelligence and Cybersecurity.
Government Initiatives and Evaluation
To make its IT park projects successful, Pakistani government has disclosed a series of supportive measures including tax incentives, incubation facilities and capacity-building programs.
We need to be compatible with the rest of the world in terms of communication skills. Therefore, we, especially our young generation, need to be well equipped with the latest communication techniques
He also stated, “These IT parks we are establishing would really prove to be a launching pad not only for reaching the latest skills but also contribute towards the narrative building to counter malicious propaganda against our motherland.”
Impact on the Society
These parks will help reduce poverty and promote social development by creating job opportunities for Pakistani youth. Educational institutions within these IT parks can equip future generations with the skills needed to succeed in the digital age. This concept of IT Parks within universities is quite new in Pakistan. Currently, a handful of universities, including the most notable ones are at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, University of Karachi and Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAFIAST) Haripur among several others have dedicated Software, Aerospace, and IT parks.
Final Words
In this research article, our Tashheer research team explained how our Pakistani government is moving towards a digital future by launching IT Parks in Pakistan. By promoting digital innovation, attracting investment, and creating high-value jobs, these IT parks have the potential to propel Pakistan towards a brighter, tech-driven tomorrow. As universities desire to stay relevant and competitive in this ever-changing world, IT parks in Pakistan offer a medium for the practical application of research findings. These software technology parks would not only create job opportunities for IT experts in Pakistan but also attract millions of dollars in valuable foreign currency and increase IT exports, once they are completed and become fully operational.
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