Government announced plans to establish the country’s first women’s software technology park in Azad Kashmir, with a targeted launch date set for February. The initiative aims to bridge the region’s gender-based digital divide and promote women’s participation in the tech industry.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), chaired by Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja. The meeting reviewed the overall performance of Pakistan’s IT sector.
This move is part of a broader government plan, revealed in May, to establish 10 new software technology parks across the country by next year, including one in the capital, Islamabad. These parks will feature incubation centres, facilities to support start-ups, and will aim to expand Pakistan’s digital landscape, increase IT exports, and promote gender inclusivity in the tech sector.
“The initiative [in Azad Kashmir] underscores our dedication to creating equal opportunities for women and ensuring their meaningful participation in Pakistan’s digital economy,” Minister Khawaja said in an official statement after the meeting.
Currently, women make up 20 percent of the workforce in PSEB-supported technology parks, which collectively employ over 18,000 export professionals across 43 IT parks in Pakistan.
The PSEB has also been proactive in creating job opportunities through training, certifications, and internship programs.
Since 2020, the organisation has facilitated over 10,000 job placements. Looking ahead, the PSEB aims to empower 25,000 freelancers by 2027 by establishing 250 e-Employment Centres and expanding the country’s IT sector internationally.
