ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday inaugurated the newly named Danish IT Park, describing the facility as an important step towards technology-led economic growth and expanded opportunities for Pakistan’s young people.
The prime minister said the Islamabad-based National Technology Park would bring together information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies, startups, incubation centres, small and medium-sized enterprises, academics and students.
He stressed that the government would not directly operate the facility. Instead, its management would be handed over to a company selected through a transparent bidding process involving local and international technology firms.
“The government of Pakistan will have nothing to do with this. There will be experts and teachers here, and they will run this IT park,” Shehbaz said during the inauguration ceremony.
Transparent bidding planned for park’s operation
The prime minister said companies working in IT and AI, both in Pakistan and abroad, would be invited to participate in the bidding process.
He instructed the relevant ministry to ensure transparency, adding that the facility would be handed over to the company offering the best services under favourable terms and conditions.
Shehbaz said the objective was to establish a professionally managed technology ecosystem capable of supporting innovation, developing technical skills and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.
He described the project as more than a building, saying its broader purpose was to connect young people with training, expertise and the resources needed to turn their ideas into viable businesses.
Focus on youth skills and artificial intelligence
The prime minister said the facility would help equip young Pakistanis with skills in IT and AI, enabling them to compete in international markets and contribute to national economic development.
He expressed hope that the park would benefit hundreds of thousands of young people over time and support the growth of technology businesses.
According to Shehbaz, the applications of AI and modern technology extend well beyond the software industry. He said these tools could also improve productivity and innovation in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and other sectors.
The facility is expected to provide space for startups, innovation hubs, incubation centres and businesses seeking to develop and commercialise new technologies.
The prime minister added that the successful operation of the Islamabad park could encourage the establishment of similar facilities across the country’s four provinces.
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Project faced considerable delays
Shehbaz acknowledged that the project had experienced significant delays, noting that its foundation stone was laid in 2018.
He declined to criticise previous administrations during the ceremony, saying the occasion was not intended for political point-scoring.
The prime minister credited teamwork and the efforts of government officials and ministers for bringing the project to completion. He acknowledged Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and their respective teams.
He said he had chaired several meetings and visited the site multiple times, emphasising that his priority was to make the facility operational so young people could benefit from it without further delays.
براہِ راست:وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی نیشنل ٹیکنالوجی پارک کی افتتاحی تقریب میں شرکت و خطاب https://t.co/QD6bnmtAsI
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 10, 2026
Why the park has been renamed Danish IT Park
The prime minister announced that the Islamabad National Technology Park would henceforth be known as the Danish IT Park, linking the name to the Danish school system, which provides educational opportunities to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Shehbaz said thousands of students had benefited from Danish schools, with graduates pursuing careers in medicine, engineering, science and teaching. Some had also continued their education at universities abroad.
He expressed hope that the initiative would expand beyond Islamabad, including to Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The prime minister also referred to plans for Danish universities, presenting the broader initiative as part of the government’s efforts to widen access to education and professional development.
He said he hoped the IT park would grow into a nationwide initiative, giving more young Pakistanis access to modern knowledge and skills.
Technology seen as a driver of economic growth
The inauguration comes as Pakistan seeks to expand its technology sector, develop a skilled workforce and increase the contribution of digital services to the economy.
The park’s long-term impact will depend on its operational management, the companies it attracts, the quality of training it provides and the opportunities it creates for startups and young professionals.
By placing the facility under a competitively selected operator, the government aims to bring professional expertise into its management while creating a platform for technology businesses, researchers and entrepreneurs.
Shehbaz said the project’s ultimate purpose was to build an environment where innovation and skills development could create lasting opportunities for young people and contribute to Pakistan’s economic progress.
