
Nawaz Sharif IT City project: CM reviews progress
LAHORE: World's leading international IT companies have shown interest in investing in Nawaz Sharif IT City project.
This was stated in a special meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif here today, to review the progress on the Nawaz Sharif IT City project.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for faster, more effective, and essential steps to ensure the timely establishment and operationalization of the Nawaz Sharif IT City.
During the meeting Central Business District CEO Imran Amin said that, 23 major IT companies are ready to set up operations within the Silicon Block of the IT City.
The Nawaz Sharif IT City became the first institution in Punjab being approved by the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) which gave a formal approval for the establishment of NSIT Silicon Block.
It was further apprised in the meeting, world's renowned international IT groups have expressed their keen interest in the Nawaz Sharif IT City project. As many as 23 well known IT companies are willing to establish their institutions in the Nawaz Sharif IT City Silicon Block. Plots have also been acquired for the establishment of institutions or offices in this regard. It was further informed that world's renowned Imperial College of London will establish a medical college and hospital in collaboration with Novecare.
NetCol will establish Pakistan's first comprehensive IT university in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. Roots Group will enter into a joint venture with the British University of Warwick.
Similarly, renowned companies namely DataFort and Mari-Tech will also jointly build Tier 3 and Tier 4 data centres. Data Rocks has expressed their interest in establishing Punjab's first FTA-approved lab. CEO CBD Imran Amin gave a detailed briefing on the progress being made on the projects.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for taking more effective, swift and necessary steps for the establishment of Nawaz Sharif IT City project.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Punjab PA Speaker distributes cheques among sanitation workers
LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan distributed award cheques among hardworking sanitation workers in Kasur under the 'Suthra Punjab Programme' initiated by the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in recognition of their excellent cleanliness arrangements during Eid-ul-Azha. On this occasion, the Speaker not only distributed the award cheques on behalf of the Punjab government but also announced an equal amount of personal reward for each worker — a gesture that was warmly appreciated by the attendees. Addressing the workers, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan paid tribute to the leadership of the Government of Punjab and stated that the vision of public service envisioned by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is now being implemented in letter and spirit. The successful execution of the 'Suthra Punjab' initiative is a prime example of this. The Speaker commended the efforts of the Suthra Punjab workers, stating that hardworking individuals are the backbone of a province's progress and development. 'Loyal and dedicated individuals like you are our pride,' he said. 'The true beauty of our society lies in the hands that serve silently and selflessly.' Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan especially acknowledged the commitment, discipline, and sense of duty demonstrated by these workers during the Eid holidays. 'Their performance is truly commendable,' he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
CM orders more e-buses for southern Punjab
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the provision of more electric buses to the districts in South Punjab and further directed that remote areas should be given priority in the provision of electric buses. The Chief Minister chaired a special meeting during which the Transport Department briefed on its projects and the progress being made on the electric bus project. The CM emphasised, 'The culture of always giving every new facility to big cities must be changed. We will bring rural areas at par with the major urban cities.' She directed that 240 electric buses should be given on a priority basis to 24 districts. In the first phase, 240 e-buses will be provided to relatively underdeveloped districts. Between August and October, 500 e-buses will be provided for Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Rawalpindi. From November to December, 600 additional electric buses will arrive in Punjab. The CM highlighted, 'Under the Punjab Clean Air Program, 400 electric buses will be provided to Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Lahore. A detailed review was conducted of the Gujranwala BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) project. In order to connect the entire city and suburban areas, 80 feeder buses will be launched. On the 22-kilometer-long BRT system from Rahwali to Eminabad, 28 stations will be established. The proposal to extend the Gujranwala BRT route was also reviewed. The Gujranwala BRT system will provide two-way transportation after every 8 minutes. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed that traffic along the Gujranwala BRT route should be managed through a smart traffic control solution. For this project, 4 electric bus depots will be established in Gujranwala. In the meeting, progress was also reviewed on Orange Line and Red Line transport systems in Faisalabad. The Red Line will be 23.4 kilometres long, with 24 stations, and is expected to transport more than 185,000 passengers. The Orange Line will be 29 kilometres long, with 21 stations, and is expected to transport over 111,000 passengers. On the Chief Minister's direction, the route from FIEDMC to Salami Chowk has also been included in the project. The Chief Minister directed the Transport Department to immediately start all public welfare projects, and further directed that e-bus routes should be determined based on public commuting needs. She outlined,' We want to provide buses based on actual public needs. Our thinking should be focused solely for the welfare of people. All districts are equal to me. In the journey of progress, everyone must have equal opportunities and access to facilities.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Fulfilling IMF conditions was no easy task, says CM Maryam
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that the Punjab government's decision not to impose a single new tax in the provincial budget is nothing short of a miracle. She emphasized that instead of introducing new taxes, the government expanded the tax net. She also announced that Punjab's domestic debt, which had persisted for the last 30 years, had been reduced to zero. Addressing the Punjab Assembly, CM Maryam Nawaz said fulfilling the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) conditions while meeting the province's constitutional responsibilities was no easy task. She remarked that running over 150 development projects and allocating Punjab's resources for public welfare made achieving the IMF's stringent surplus target extremely challenging—yet her administration succeeded. Maryam Nawaz highlighted that unlike previous governments, her administration did not merely announce projects but also implemented Punjab's largest-ever annual cash-backed development program. She revealed that last year's Annual Development Program (ADP) was worth Rs. 840 billion, but due to successful project execution and public demand, it was increased to over Rs. 1 trillion. Out of this, Rs. 1.013 trillion had already been spent on public welfare, marking the highest allocation in Punjab's development history. She noted that Punjab's fund utilization, previously at Rs. 585 billion, had now reached Rs. 1,100 billion. The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to the Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs), acknowledging that their support was instrumental in these achievements. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz added that those who once called for the political ouster of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had now been sidelined themselves—not by others, but by their own poor performance. 'Those who chanted 'minus Nawaz' are now themselves 'minus.' Even Aleema Khan has acknowledged this,' she said, referring to recent remarks by Khan's sister. Taking a firm stance against her opponents, the CM stated that false promises to South Punjab had long been a political tactic to form and dismantle governments. 'Unlike previous governments, we have moved beyond slogans. We are delivering on our promises,' she declared, announcing the launch of the province's largest clean drinking water project, starting in South Punjab. Her remarks were met with protests and noise from the opposition benches. Responding calmly, she said, 'Let them protest. I respect their democratic right.' Maryam also presented what she termed a 'historic' and 'tax-free' provincial budget of Rs. 5,335 billion, praising Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman and Finance Secretary Mujahid Sherdil for crafting a budget aligned with Nawaz Sharif's economic vision. Referencing military and diplomatic achievements, she congratulated the nation on 'the victory over India' and commended the armed forces and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their leadership. She also condemned Israel's recent strikes on Iran, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to peace and solidarity with the Iranian people. Maryam Nawaz underscored her administration's equitable development efforts, stating, 'Every district—whether Bhakkar, Layyah, Rajanpur, D.G. Khan, or Rahim Yar Khan—has the same share in development as Lahore.' She clarified that her competition was not with political rivals but with her own family's legacy. 'My benchmark is Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif—I aim to surpass their record of public service.' The Chief Minister also acknowledged the Mines and Minerals Department's contributions, citing Rs. 30 billion in savings, and noted that public spending had risen by only 3%, including pay and pension increases. Opposition members in the Punjab Assembly may be barred from entering the premises following their misconduct during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's speech. They created chaos, hurled abusive slogans, and tore copies of the agenda, throwing them toward the Chief Minister and Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. During her address, opposition members attempted to approach the Speaker's chair, shouting slogans and disrupting proceedings. Government members intervened to restrain them. Sources indicate the opposition could face entry restrictions due to their actions, including storming the Speaker's podium, using inappropriate language, and throwing documents. It may be recalled that Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan had issued a ruling the previous day outlining a code of conduct for assembly sessions. The ruling prohibits reading books/newspapers or bringing them into the house. It also prohibits passing between a speaking member and the chair. Additionally, eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking inside the assembly is not allowed. Damaging furniture or electronic equipment is strictly prohibited, and carrying sticks or rods without the Speaker's permission is forbidden. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025