Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated IT Park Islamabad on October 9, 2026, announcing that the facility would be named Daanish IT Park. Developed by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the facility is designed to help Pakistani technology companies expand their operations, support startups and increase their capacity to serve international markets. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan Han Sungho, and representatives from the technology industry, startups and academia. The project reflects cooperation between Pakistan and South Korea to develop infrastructure that supports technology businesses, skilled employment and export growth.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the role of young Pakistanis in the country’s technology sector and said the facility was intended to support their talent, aspirations and future opportunities. He also acknowledged the cooperation between Pakistan and South Korea in completing the project. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja praised the prime minister’s involvement in overseeing the project and keeping its completion a priority despite the challenges faced during development. South Korean Ambassador Han Sungho also highlighted the longstanding relations between the two countries, describing the IT park as another example of bilateral cooperation. PSEB Chief Executive Officer Faisal Jeddy said the facility would provide technology companies with the space, infrastructure and support required to expand internationally, while bringing startups, industry, academia and training activities together under one roof.
Located on a 14.9-acre site at National Park Road in Chak Shahzad, Islamabad, Daanish IT Park is a 12-storey facility covering approximately 720,000 square feet, including 240,000 square feet of rentable office space. Its facilities include a data centre, research and development laboratories, robotics laboratories, a startup hub, co-working spaces, training facilities and an Industry-Academia Centre. The complex also provides business advisory services and amenities such as daycare facilities, banking, accommodation and restaurants. By bringing technology companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and training facilities together, the park is intended to support collaboration between industry and academia while providing businesses with access to infrastructure and services needed for technology development. The facility is also licensed as a Special Technology Zone, allowing eligible enterprises to access incentives available under the applicable framework.
The project cost US$92.7 million, financed principally through a US$76.28 million concessional loan from South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund, which accounted for approximately 82 percent of the total cost. The Government of Pakistan provided the remaining amount through the Public Sector Development Programme. The inauguration comes as Pakistan’s information and communications technology exports reached a record US$4.6 billion in fiscal year 2025-26. PSEB, which is the licensed zone developer, is now inviting experienced local and international firms, either independently or through joint ventures, to operate, manage, maintain and commercialize the park as an integrated facility under a proposed 15-year, performance-based arrangement. The operating model is intended to bring professional management to the complex and support its long-term use by technology businesses.
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