Islamabad is on track to become a leading innovation hub as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) partner to establish the city’s first Special Technology Zone (STZ).
The collaboration was finalized during a high-level meeting at CDA Headquarters, chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa and STZA Chairman Azfar Manzoor. Senior officials including Dr. Khalid Hafiz, Member Planning and Design CDA, and Aamir Saleemi, Executive Director STZA, were also present.
CDA and STZA to Share Roles
Under the new plan:
- STZA will act as the regulator, licensing high-tech firms and investors.
- CDA will take charge as the development agency, responsible for infrastructure and urban planning.
A joint working group has been formed to design the project’s operational and financial frameworks. The group will present final proposals to the Federal Government for approval.
Boosting Innovation and Jobs
The Special Technology Zone will attract tech startups, research centers, and manufacturing units, offering integrated spaces for innovation and production. Authorities are also considering tax rebates and duty exemptions to encourage both local and foreign investment.
Chairman Randhawa said turning Islamabad into a “technopolis city” is among CDA’s top priorities. He emphasized that the project will create new jobs, increase exports, and position Islamabad as a regional technology hub.
Once approved, this initiative could redefine Pakistan’s digital landscape, setting the stage for a sustainable, innovation-driven economy centered in the nation’s capital.