MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan: In a groundbreaking step towards women’s empowerment and digital inclusion, Pakistan has inaugurated its first-ever Women’s Software Technology Park in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The facility, established at Fatima Jinnah Women’s Postgraduate College, was officially launched by SCO Director General Maj-Gen Umar Ahmed Shah, alongside key dignitaries including AJK Prime Minister’s Coordinator Asma Andrabi and IT Secretary Rashid Hanif.
The park is designed to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for women freelancers, IT professionals, and entrepreneurs. Equipped with uninterrupted electricity, high-speed internet, modern training spaces, and a professional environment, the initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in technology and create opportunities for women in Pakistan’s rapidly growing IT sector.
This landmark development is part of SCO’s Vision 2025, which has already seen the establishment of 17 software parks and 76 freelancing hubs across AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan over the past 20 months. These initiatives have generated over 7,000 jobs and enabled more than 1,500 freelancers to step into the digital economy. The government now plans to expand this network to 100 centers by the end of the month.
Officials emphasized that the Muzaffarabad park is not only about providing infrastructure, but also about giving women a safe, enabling space where they can lead startups, boost IT exports, and contribute to Pakistan’s economic resilience. Asma Andrabi hailed the initiative as a “historic achievement”, saying it will help women step into global markets with confidence and skill.
With this launch, Pakistan has taken a significant stride towards ensuring that digital innovation is no longer limited by gender or geography, setting a precedent for future women-centered technology initiatives across the country.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.