Aitizaz Hassan

Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) is offering office space to enterprises in information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITeS) at affordable rental rates. The software technology parks (STPs) in public and private buildings will get 25% rental and free internet subsidy for the first year. According to the PSEB, it is an initiative to create a convenient and economical office for new IT firms. The office space will also come with many amenities including backup power facilities, high-speed internet, and central heating/cooling.

Currently, the PSEB is managing 27 STPs in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Abbottabad, Swat, Mansehra, Quetta, Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Gilgit.Talking to WealthPK, Osman Nasir, a well-known technologist and ex-managing director of the PSEB, said Pakistan's IT industry now covers approximately 25 million square feet and generates $2.6 billion of export revenue annually. He said the tech office infrastructure will require another 80 million sq ft to host IT professionals across the country to achieve the target of $15 billion in export revenue.

“Over the past two years, the PSEB worked on expanding these office spaces in 15 cities, and added 19 new tech hubs in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Hyderabad, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Mansehra, Swat, Abbottabad, Gilgit, and Khuzdar by converting the existing buildings into technology parks,” he said. Osman said that they have converted a mall, a non-operational factory, an abandoned college, army barracks, and even an old international airport into software technology parks where now 3,000 professionals are working and delivering services globally.

He said Karachi has a dire need for technology-enabled office infrastructure. With rental expenses going as high as Rs300 per sq ft per month, he said that they worked with National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) to have a world-class facility at approximately half the price in the most conveniently approachable location. The Ex-MD of the PSEB said that it is a great addition to the string of software technology parks. This 120,000 sq ft facility at Shahrah-e-Faisal (highway in Karachi) will soon have a partner facility near the Karachi Airport to add another 475,000 sq ft of top-notch office space. According to the PSEB open houses detail, open house in Shah Tower in Abbottabad is offering 5,735 sq ft at a rent of Rs70 sq ft.

Vertex Tower Swat is offering 14,060 sq ft at Rs50 per sq ft. In World Star Business System building in Islamabad, 50,000 sq ft is available at Rs100 per sq ft, Hazara University Mansehra offers 14,074 sq ft at Rs40 per sq ft, Sitara Techno Park Faisalabad offers 36,724 sq ft at Rs55 per sq ft, Euro Heights Building in Gujrat offers 13,959 sq ft at Rs40 per sq ft, Salaar Centre Lahore offers 50,000 sq ft at 125 per sq ft, BUET Khuzdar offers 5,570 sq ft at Rs30 per sq ft, and Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro 5,000 sq ft at Rs50 per sq ft.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk