Islamabad — Pakistan’s flagship Islamabad IT Park in Chak Shahzad is nearing completion, emerging as a cornerstone of the government’s Digital Pakistan vision to strengthen the country’s technology ecosystem through innovation, exports, and research collaboration.
Developed with a $76.3 million concessional loan from South Korea and $12.5 million from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), the 12-story facility will serve as a hub for entrepreneurship, training, and industry-academia linkages.
According to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the complex spans 66,893 square meters and will accommodate around 120 startups and SMEs, along with testing labs, classrooms, an auditorium, and a dedicated industry-academia linkage center.
An official noted that the project — backed by South Korea’s cooperation — is part of a broader initiative to enhance Pakistan’s global competitiveness in technology. “Both Islamabad and Karachi IT Parks are being funded by South Korea, reflecting international confidence in Pakistan’s tech potential,” the official said.
Despite early challenges such as import restrictions, heavy rainfall, and economic pressures, construction remains on schedule, with completion expected by December 31, 2025.
Once operational, the Islamabad IT Park will:
- Facilitate technology transfer and commercialization;
- Support research-driven innovation;
- Promote IT exports; and
- Create a foundation for a knowledge-based digital economy.
The initiative marks a major step in Pakistan’s journey toward becoming a regional technology hub, fostering collaboration between academia and industry while providing the infrastructure needed for startups to scale globally.
