Science, Technology & Logistics Center to be Established in Islamabad

Pakistan is seeing some developments that may prove beneficial to academic and technological circles. The government of Pakistan recently approved the establishment of a Science and Technology & Logistics Centre in Islamabad.

With the help of a high-level delegation that came from Xinjiang, China, representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Board of Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms held a meeting to discuss the goals of the mega project that will help Pakistani entrepreneurs and industries gain wider access to Chinese trade commodities.

The meeting, held in at Ministry of Science and Technology, Islamabad, was presided over by Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Federal Minister of Science and Technology. The mega project will include a science and technology park, logistics park, a five-star hotel and a mega shopping mall.

The project will help Pakistani entrepreneurs and industries gain wider access to Chinese trade commodities

China will be investing in the project courtesy of the Xinjiang 13th Division, with the aim of taking advantage of the Kashgar to Gwadar route in streamlining Chinese trade across the region. Islamabad has been designated the location base of this venture due to the fact that it provides the ideal strategic proximity between the areas. An investment of RMB 18 billion has ben floated, with the project being carried out and completed in four phases.

Dr. Zahir Shah from the Planning Commission was also in attendance, assuring the Federal Minister of Science and Technology of his complete support. He agreed that linking the project with the Pak-China Economic Corridor is prudent and assured that efforts will be made to ensure this. Special economic zone status will be given to the project according to a representative from the Board of Investmen .

An investment of RMB 18 billion has been floated and the project will be completed in four phases

Mr. Huang Zhigang, Secretary General of the Communist Party, was satisfied with the progress. In this regard, Secretary MoST Kamran Ali Qureshi also apprised the participants of the progress made by COMSATS IIT in deploying a professional team to oversee the project.

At the end of the meeting, it was decided by the MoST Secretary to expedite work on the project at the earliest by establishing a dedicated office with the team in place.