PDC declared special tech zone for IT growth

Move dubbed ‘pivotal stride’ in advancing region’s technological landscape

HARIPUR:

In a bid to foster innovation and technology-driven progress, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) and the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) have declared the Pakistan Digital City (PDC) Haripur a ‘special technology zone’.

The move is being dubbed as a ‘pivotal stride’ in advancing the region's technological landscape. Under this agreement, PDC Haripur is poised to enjoy tax incentives, rendering it a tax-exempt zone for entities operating within its premises. “This strategic measure is expected to bolster the growth of IT businesses associated with PDC Haripur, offering them a 10-year tax exemption period that fosters a conducive environment for technological advancement,” a statement issued in this regard read.

The event, attended by dignitaries including Special Assistant to the K-P Chief Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Latif Khan alongside representatives from the STZA and KPITB, underscores the significance of PDC Haripur as the largest IT project undertaken by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to date. Spanning across 88 kanals, this project, initiated under the previous government, aims to realise the Government's Digital Pakistan Vision.

Moreover, officials said this development heralds positive prospects for IT professionals within the Pakistan Digital City, providing them with a conducive environment at a reduced cost. Moreover, international IT experts are poised to benefit from this initiative, with formal invitations extended to international companies to invest in Pakistan Digital City, thereby stimulating IT activities within KPK.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's inauguration of the Pakistan Digital City Special Technology Zone in Haripur three years ago marked a significant milestone in this journey, with an initial allocation of Rs1.31 billion towards the project. This initiative aligns with the ongoing initiatives in the IT sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The project's scope extends beyond IT, encompassing related industries such as electronics, software houses, the mobile phone industry, technology incubators, and the computer industry, thereby fostering a comprehensive ecosystem for technological innovation and growth in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2024.