Azeem Ahmed Khan

A fresh wave of development is sweeping through Gilgit-Baltistan with the establishment of an incubation centre and software technology parks (STPs), reports WealthPK. The Special Communication Organisation (SCO), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Information and Technology, has played an instrumental role in bringing telecom services and information technology to the province. The SCO is determined to empower Gilgit-Baltistan's educated youth by advancing the IT industry. It opened a cutting-edge software technology park (STP) in Gilgit in October 2020, which was a turning point for promoting the IT industry in the region.

In 2021, the SCO opened a cutting-edge business incubator in Gilgit in cooperation with the Karakoram International University and the Punjab Information Technology Board. This facility gave the youth a full-fledged digital platform to enable self-employment and carry out their business ideas. STP Skardu is currently almost fully operational, which will be nothing short of a gift for the young people living in this isolated region.

"The GB government has provided a state-owned building for establishing this IT park," spokesman Raja Noorul Amin told WealthPK. The SCO is establishing a modern STP after renovating the old building and purchasing necessary equipment. HBL Microfinance Bank Ltd (HBLMfB) has partnered with the SCO in establishing STP Skardu by providing financial support of Rs15 million. The bank regularly looks for possibilities to help regional communities and contribute to the improvement of their living standards.

STP Skardu was given a soft launch in November 2022, and since then it has produced good results by earning Rs2 million from IT firms. Eight IT-related businesses have so far been established at the ITP Skardu, and more than 100 young people from various Baltistan regions are engaged in freelancing and online IT services, Noorul Amin informed WealthPK.

“By connecting with the outside world, they may generate vital foreign exchange for their family and their community,” he observed. With the financial assistance of HBLMfB, a new era of collaboration with the SCO for advancement of Gilgit-Baltistan will begin. Commenting on the partnership, HBLMfB Chief Executive Officer and President Muhammad Amir Khan said, "We believe this initiative will not only boost the IT industry in the region but also create job opportunities for the local population, and we look forward to playing a role in this regard."

"The success of the pilot launch phase of STP Skardu has been encouraging, and we are confident that with HBLMfB’s support, we can unlock its maximum potential. This partnership represents a significant step towards promoting the technology sector in Pakistan’s northern region and supporting local communities through increased employment opportunities," said Major General Muhammad Shahid Siddique, Director General of SCO.

STP Skardu offers modern facilities and infrastructure that match standards of major technology hubs. The park is ideal for software development, R&D, and innovation with fast internet, uninterrupted power supply, and sophisticated IT infrastructure. In order to accommodate various enterprises and promote cooperation, it also provides well-designed office spaces and conference rooms. The SCO is also working to set up an STP at Nasirabad in Hunza district of Gilgit-Baltistan with the assistance of Aga Khan Development Network. The work has already begun and will shortly be finished.

The IT parks in Gilgit-Baltistan will also assist in the development of skilled manpower in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). "Gilgit-Baltistan has a key position as the hub of CPEC, and these ITPs will help in meeting the shortage of well-trained manpower in the IT sector," spokesman Noorul Amin said. The establishment of STPs marks a turning point in the region's growth trajectory. This cutting-edge facility has the potential to turn Gilgit-Baltistan into a thriving technological centre, attracting investment, providing job opportunities, and empowering the local population through digital technologies.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk