Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday inaugurated the National Technology Park in Islamabad, officially renaming it the Daanish IT Park. During the ceremony, he directed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications to select a professional management company through a transparent and competitive bidding process.
He stated that this facility is designed to promote innovation, enhance the technical skills of the youth, and significantly bolster Pakistan's economic growth. The prime minister emphasized that renowned local and international information technology (IT) companies would be invited to participate in the bidding process.
This approach is intended to ensure professional management and sustainable growth under internationally recognized standards, while keeping the operations free from government interference. He highlighted that the park represents a major milestone in Pakistan's digital transformation journey.
Describing the vision for the facility, he noted that it would unite artificial intelligence (AI) experts, startups, incubation centers, innovation hubs, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and industry leaders. By bringing these stakeholders together, the park aims to foster a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurship and technological advancement, positioning Pakistan as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
He expressed strong confidence that the park would provide young Pakistanis with the necessary expertise in IT, AI, and other emerging technologies. The prime minister further announced that once this flagship facility is fully operational and its model is proven, similar technology parks will be established across the country to decentralize digital growth.
Chairman of the Pakistan Digital Authority, Dr. Sohail Munir, highlighted the 'Digital Nation Pakistan' vision during his address. He stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive digital governance ecosystem to improve service efficiency across public and private sectors.
He noted with pride that Pakistan's IT exports have shown remarkable resilience and growth, exceeding $4.5 billion in the last fiscal year. Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan, Han Sungho, also addressed the gathering.
He stated that the two nations have maintained close cooperation for 43 years, with South Korea providing over $340 million in development assistance to date. He affirmed South Korea's continued commitment to expanding collaboration in the fields of IT and AI to ensure mutual progress and technological integration.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by a high-profile audience, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, various cabinet members, parliamentarians, and prominent industry experts. The event concluded with a tour of the facility, where the Prime Minister inspected the infrastructure designed to host future tech giants and innovators.