During its latest meeting, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Information Technology expressed strong concerns over the delay in the completion of Islamabad IT Park with the financial support of South Korea. Officials of the IT Ministry and representatives of the Korean company wrote a letter to the committee on the progress, challenges and reasons for the project’s progress, challenges and delays.
Secretary IT Zarar Hashim informed the committee that Islamabad Technology Park was being prepared from the Korean Fund. He said that Pakistan received 78 million loans for the project in 2017, which had plans to pay the tie year and pay the threat. The loan had only 0.5 % privileged market -ups, which can be paid in easy installments.
According to the secretary, IT park’s attention was to attract companies and promote exports, with this facility made international standards. He further said that both Islamabad and Karachi IT Parks are being financially funded through Korean assistance, though the Karachi project is facing issues related to the Civil Aviation Authority.
The project director of the project, Aamir Ahmed, told the committee that under the agreement, the completion of Islamabad IT Park by October 31, 2025 was original. He said that with an additional $ 12.5 million allocated under the PSDP, the total cost of the project in the Korean Fund is $ 76.3 million. The park covers 14.9 acres of country. He noted that physical progress on the project had reached 71 %, and emphasized that the project was being completed in its approved cost, as has been set in an agreement with the Korean company.
Committee Chairman Syed Aminol Hawk questioned that the project actually meant to be completed within 30 months, delayed. He pointed out that progress has been halted despite the Prime Minister’s visits to this site.
A Korean company representative explained that the project faced extraordinary challenges, including heavy rainfall, six months of suspension due to Pakistan’s dollar crisis, and additional delays due to duties and taxes. The company had repeatedly requested a discount from these duties. Members of the committee asked why such matters were not addressed at the time of the signing of the agreement. The representative acknowledged the discrimination between the government and the company on the matter.
The project director revealed that nine project managers have been replaced within 13 months, which has further reduced progress. He confirmed that the project had already been delayed by eight months.
When asked if the project would be completed by the last date of October 31, the project director admitted that it was unlikely. Representatives of the Korean company added that while most of the work will end by December 31, the full commission of Islamabad Technology Park will be completed only by February 2026.
In response, Chairman Aminol Hawk directed the ministry to issue a formal letter of dissatisfaction to the company. He warned that if the project was not completed by October 31, there would be another letter, and the company could also face blacklisting.
“The deadline is October 31 and must be respected,” Aminol Hawk emphasized. “If the company fails, the ministry should decide on its procedure by November 1st.”