National Assembly IT Committee Criticizes Delays in Karachi IT Park Project

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in the Karachi IT Park project during its latest meeting, with lawmakers criticizing the lack of progress despite years of planning.

Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima briefed the committee on the project’s status, stating that the government will award the construction contract only after receiving a review report from an independent third party to ensure transparency and due diligence.

National Assembly IT Committee Criticizes Delays in Karachi IT Park Project

Committee member Mahesh Kumar pointed out that officials had delivered the same briefing during the committee’s previous meeting, raising concerns over the absence of tangible progress.

Responding to the criticism, Shaza Fatima said the ministry had completed its homework on the Karachi IT Park project and was working to move it forward.

Committee Chairman Syed Amin Ul Haque strongly criticized the pace of the project, saying that after five years, authorities had completed only paperwork. He described the situation as “a matter of shame” and directed the ministry to treat the Karachi IT Park project as a top priority.

Questioning the ministry’s timeline, the chairman asked whether it intended to complete the project in ten years, emphasizing that the continued delays were unacceptable.

Shaza Fatima informed the committee that the government has already allocated funds for the Karachi IT Park project under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). She added that international circumstances, including the Iran conflict, had also contributed to delays in the project’s implementation.

The committee stressed the need to accelerate work on the Karachi IT Park, describing it as a critical initiative for strengthening Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and supporting the country’s growing information technology sector.