Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Daanish Technology Park in Islamabad on Saturday, saying the project will help young Pakistanis find jobs and build technology businesses, Dawn reported. The park was earlier known as the Islamabad IT Park. Sharif said it is more than a building. In his words, the aim is an ecosystem for tech-led growth.
What the Daanish Technology Park offers
The park brings together incubation centers, innovation hubs, small businesses, startups and industry leaders. It will also offer skills training and vocational courses. In addition, industrialists and entrepreneurs will work alongside IT and artificial intelligence experts.
Dawn’s report did not give the size or cost of the project. It also did not list job or export targets.
What the prime minister said
Sharif said he expects the park to empower youth and help Pakistan become a developed country. He added that similar parks will open across the country and in every province. Once this park is fully running, other sectors such as industry, agriculture and mining could get their own centers, he said.
The project’s foundation was laid in 2017-18. Sharif praised IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and her team for turning a troubled project into a sound one. He also told the ministry to run a transparent bidding process. Domestic and foreign IT companies will be invited to run the facility under internationally recognized rules, without government interference.
The prime minister said Daanish University is also being set up in Islamabad. He linked the name to the Daanish schools.
Who attended
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended, along with cabinet members, parliamentarians, company executives, experts and students. The South Korean ambassador also spoke. He said his country wants to ensure that no person or nation is left behind in the age of artificial intelligence. He added that South Korea is expanding IT cooperation with Pakistan.
Why it matters
Pakistan has a young population, and technology is one of the few sectors where the government hopes to grow exports. However, the success of the park will depend on the bidding process, the quality of training and whether companies move in. Wire Examiner will follow the next steps, including who wins the operating contract.
Sources: Dawn, Associated Press of Pakistan.
