Islamabad: In a significant development aimed at boosting Pakistan’s IT exports and job creation, the Islamabad IT Park is scheduled for completion by February 2025. This project was at the center of discussions during a meeting between Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal and the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan, His Excellency Park Ki Jun. The meeting, which also saw participation from the Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, focused on bolstering Pakistan-South Korea bilateral relations, particularly in technological cooperation.
According to Press Information Department, the Islamabad IT Park is poised to become a pivotal hub for over 130 startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), providing them with crucial office space and support services. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the project’s alignment with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, ensuring its timely completion and the parallel development of the Karachi IT Park, which is set to inaugurate in October 2024. The completion of these projects is expected to significantly strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy and IT sector.
During the discussions, Prof. Iqbal expressed Pakistan’s dedication to enhancing cooperation with South Korea, particularly in sharing expertise in information technology and telecommunications. Ambassador Park Ki Jun reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s IT development, emphasizing the strategic importance of timely completing the Islamabad IT Park.
The Islamabad IT Park, once operational, is anticipated to catalyze a substantial increase in IT exports and provide a comprehensive ecosystem for IT businesses. This includes incubation centers, advanced ICT services, and a Tier III-level Data Center. The project is also expected to create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, bolstering employment in the region. Furthermore, international tech giants such as Google, IBM, and Microsoft have shown interest in setting up offices within the park, highlighting its potential to transform Islamabad into a significant IT hub on the global stage.