IT ministry establishes 43 software parks nationwide

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) through the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has established 43 Software Technology Parks (STPs) across the country, including in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

Pakistan’s software technology parks (STPs) are playing a vital role in the IT sector, hosting over 350 IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) companies. These parks provide employment to 18000 professionals across a combined covered area of 1.9 million square feet, with women making up 20% of the workforce.

Established between 2022 and 2024, these STPs are located in major cities like Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, as well as in regions like Gilgit, Swat, Rahim Yar Khan, Quetta, and Nawabshah. They generate $100 million annually in foreign exchange earnings and contribute $15 million to the domestic economy.

To further strengthen Pakistan’s IT infrastructure, a new IT Park in Karachi is under development. Spanning 1.12 million square feet, this $186 million project is set to be operational by 2027, creating 13400 jobs and boosting IT exports by $90 million. Similarly, an IT Park in Islamabad, covering 720000 square feet, is expected to be completed by 2025 at a cost of $88.4 million. This facility will generate 7500 jobs and increase IT exports by $70 million.

In addition, the government aims to establish 250 e-Rozgaar centers nationwide by 2027 under the Public Sector Development Programme. This initiative will support startups, provide specialized IT training, and promote venture capital investment, driving digital growth across the country.