Islamabad IT park nears completion, to host 120 startups and drive Pakistan’s digital growth

Pakistan’s flagship Islamabad IT Park is taking shape as a cornerstone of the government’s Digital Pakistan initiative, set to strengthen the country’s technology ecosystem through innovation, research, and global partnerships.

According to an official of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the under-construction facility in Chak Shahzad is being developed with a $76.3 million loan from South Korea, secured on highly concessional terms, along with $12.5 million from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

“The Islamabad IT Park will consist of a twelve-story building (including two basements and ten floors) with a total covered area of 66,893 square meters. Initially, it will provide office space for around 120 start-ups and small to medium enterprises, along with facilities such as testing laboratories, classrooms, an industry-academia linkage center, and an auditorium,” the official said.

The project was launched with South Korean assistance to help realize Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of a Digital Pakistan. Built to international standards, the park aims to connect tertiary education with production, support technology transfer and commercialization, and promote research and development across Pakistan’s IT sector.

“Both Islamabad and Karachi IT Parks are being funded by South Korea, reflecting growing international confidence in Pakistan’s technology sector,” the official added.

The park is designed to act as a hub for innovation, investment, and employment, serving as a platform for industry-academia linkages and export-oriented growth. Despite initial challenges such as heavy rains, import restrictions, and economic pressures, construction has remained within budget, the official confirmed.

Most of the work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025. Once operational, the Islamabad IT Park will facilitate technology transfer, enhance IT exports, and boost the competitiveness of Pakistan’s digital industry, marking a major step forward in the country’s transformation into a modern, knowledge-based economy.