The inauguration of Data Vault Pakistan marks a transformative milestone for the country’s technology landscape. Positioned as Pakistan’s first artificial intelligence (AI)-optimized data centre, Data Vault aims to establish a sovereign, secure digital ecosystem to power the nation’s growing AI ambitions.
A data vault is a high-security facility housing powerful computing and storage infrastructure, designed to safeguard sensitive digital information through encryption and stringent access controls. Data Vault Pakistan goes a step further by operating entirely on solar power, becoming the nation’s first green data hub. This eco-friendly approach reduces carbon emissions, enhances energy independence during outages, and aligns with Pakistan’s environmental commitments.
Mehwish Salman Ali, Founder and CEO of Data Vault Pakistan, emphasized the centre’s mission: “AI should be accessible to everyone, not just the big players. For anyone building or running a tech business in Pakistan, having a secure, high-speed, and locally compliant data centre is necessary.” The centre offers GPU infrastructure as a service, cloud credits, mentorship, and access to local large language models (LLMs) like its own Zahanat AI, removing significant financial barriers for startups, researchers, enterprises, and government bodies.
Data Vault provides full compliance with international standards such as ISO 27001 and NIST, and works closely with regulators on frameworks like CTDISR and PDPB. Multi-layer security, encrypted storage, and 24/7 monitoring protect against cyber threats, ensuring data sovereignty and privacy for all users.
Over the next two years, Data Vault plans to become a foundational pillar for Pakistan’s AI and digital economy. By reducing dependence on foreign cloud providers and keeping technology investments local, it aims to accelerate Pakistan’s ascent in the global digital economy. The facility supports national initiatives in smart cities, healthcare diagnostics, agriculture automation, and financial inclusion by delivering secure, scalable AI infrastructure.
Data Vault is also committed to talent development through partnerships with universities, incubators, and government programmes. Initiatives such as bootcamps, hackathons, and research grants seek to cultivate over 10,000 AI professionals and empower 100+ AI startups, directly supporting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “Uraan Pakistan” vision to transform the digital economy into a trillion-dollar powerhouse by 2035.
Pakistan’s digital economy currently stands at around $15 billion and aims to grow tenfold by 2035. Data Vault’s infrastructure and talent programs are expected to boost exports, accelerate fintech and agri-tech sectors, and attract critical foreign investment — all vital to realizing this ambitious vision.
“We’re building the technological foundation, nurturing local capability, and accelerating innovation so Pakistan can emerge as an AI leader,” Mehwish stated.
The Karachi-based Data Vault is a secure, fast, and locally compliant data home for Pakistani businesses, students, and government entities — eliminating the need to send sensitive data overseas while fostering national digital resilience and innovation.
