Federal Government Releases Rs. 8.6 Billion for Two Mega IT Ministry Projects

The federal government has released Rs. 8.6 billion to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) during the first quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. The allocation falls under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and represents close to 28 percent of the Rs. 31 billion approved for the ministry in the current budget. Officials confirmed that the entire amount has already been spent on ongoing projects.

According to a written reply submitted by the IT Ministry to the National Assembly Standing Committee, two major infrastructure projects are receiving a significant share of these funds.

• A total of Rs. 15 billion has been set aside for the Karachi IT Park.
• Another Rs. 7 billion has been allocated for the Islamabad IT Park.

Both projects are being financed through a soft loan from a Korean bank.

Work on the Islamabad IT Park is moving toward completion. Officials told the committee that more than 80 percent of construction has been finished and the facility is expected to be ready for use by the end of September, following the directives of the Prime Minister. Once inaugurated, the park will serve as a hub for technology services, innovation, and IT exports.

In contrast, the Karachi IT Park is still under revised planning despite having funds earmarked. The ministry assured the committee that development is progressing, but adjustments to the project design have delayed the timeline.

The Standing Committee appreciated the detailed briefing provided by the IT Ministry and its attached departments. It also emphasized the need for Ignite to expand its programs to district-level institutions. This step, the committee noted, would extend entrepreneurial opportunities and technical training to more students and youth across the country.