The development of Islamabad’s IT Park has hit delays, pushing its cost higher by Rs. 9.8 billion. This means the total project cost is now estimated at Rs. 26.065 billion, up from the initial Rs. 23.303 billion. The additional funding will come from the next fiscal year’s Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
The IT Park, under the Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT), started on April 20, 2016, and was expected to be completed by June 30, 2026. However, progress has been slower than expected. Despite utilizing 40% of the allocated budget, only 38% of the construction is complete. So far, Rs. 16.207 billion has been spent on the project.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 26, 2021, at Chak Shahzad. It was attended by Syed Amin Ul Haq, the then Minister for IT & Telecom, and Suh Sangpyo, the Ambassador of South Korea. The project is being developed with financial backing from Exim Bank Korea.
The IT Park covers 66,893 square meters and will have twelve stories—two underground and ten above-ground. It is designed to provide space for over 120 startups and SMEs, as well as facilities like testing labs, classrooms, an industry-academia linkage center, and an auditorium. The project aligns with Pakistan’s Vision 2025, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Digital Pakistan Policy.
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A key highlight of the IT Park is the establishment of a modern technology hub. It will feature a Level 3 data center, an incubation center for 15 startups, a business support center, and commercial and recreational spaces. Once completed, the IT Park is expected to create 10,000 jobs. While the grey structure is complete, finishing work, along with Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) installations, is still ongoing. The data center’s design has already received certification from the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).
Despite the cost increase, IT Park Project Director Aamir Ahmed denied any budget overruns. He explained that the project was originally approved in US dollars, and its value in Pakistani rupees fluctuates due to exchange rate variations. The price set in the PC-1 document in 2017 has remained unchanged in dollar terms, and all payments are being made in dollars.
Officials from the Ministry of IT have assured that the project is progressing steadily. Once completed, the IT Park will be a major milestone for Pakistan’s tech sector, providing new opportunities for businesses, startups, and skilled professionals.
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