Shehbaz Sharif urges fast-tracking of Islamabad Technology Park to drive Pakistan’s digital economy

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered authorities to speed up the construction of Islamabad’s Technology Park, warning that delays could undermine a project he described as “critical to Pakistan’s future in the digital economy.”

Visiting the site on Thursday, the prime minister voiced dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work and instructed all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to complete the facility within the original schedule. “This project is vital for our IT sector, youth employment, and economic progress,” he said, adding that it must meet global infrastructure and service standards to compete internationally.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the Technology Park is designed with two basement levels, a ground floor, and nine additional floors. It will house cutting-edge office spaces, a business support center, an incubation hub, research laboratories, a Level III data center, and an auditorium. Parking facilities will accommodate 1,200 vehicles.

Officials briefed the premier that once completed, the park will serve as a central hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and research, narrowing Pakistan’s digital divide and boosting the nation’s IT competitiveness. It is also expected to draw foreign investment and create thousands of jobs for skilled youth.

PM Shehbaz instructed that progress updates be sent directly to his office and called for stronger coordination between departments. “We are investing in Pakistan’s future,” he said. “A state-of-the-art Technology Park will be a symbol of our commitment to innovation and economic transformation.”