Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced that the Islamabad IT Park will be inaugurated on August 14, followed by the launch of the Karachi IT Park.
She announced while addressing the Leaders at the Islamabad Business Summit. The minister said that the government is repurposing vacant buildings to establish IT parks and will create 250 employment facilitation centers across the country to support the industrial sector.
Highlighting the rapid technological transformation across sectors, the minister emphasized that technology has become integral to agriculture, health, education, commerce, and production. She noted that everyday communication has shifted to digital platforms and that the global landscape—economically, politically, and environmentally—is undergoing major shifts. According to her, we are transitioning from a digital world to an era of artificial intelligence, and without adapting to these changes, Pakistan risks isolation.
Speaking on economic potential, the minister shared that for every dollar spent on marketing Pakistan, the country earns 49 dollars in return. Despite working with limited budgets, the government aims to boost technology-related exports to $25 billion. She also revealed that Pakistan will be hosting a Digital Foreign Investment Summit on April 28 and 29, with Saudi Arabia’s cooperation in organizing the event.
Shaza Fatima added that a pilot project for a “Smart Islamabad” initiative is being launched, including the development of a Super App for the federal capital. This app will streamline public services and provide online access to all necessary permits for business registration. Drawing inspiration from Shenzhen, China, she said the government is planning to set up a business facilitation center in Islamabad where all offices will operate under one roof.
Reiterating the need to invest in human capital, the minister stressed that supporting creative and talented youth is one of the most valuable investments a government can make. She said the government is committed to providing enabling environments, infrastructure, and digital tools to harness Pakistan’s technological potential and promote innovation-led growth.