4 tech zones set up amid increased surveillance

The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) has announced the creation of four new special technology zones (STZs), with an investment of Rs30 billion in infrastructure. The initiative aims to generate 50,000 jobs and boost IT exports by $350 million annually over the next two to four years. In a statement issued on Thursday, the authority revealed that the newly designated zones include the NUST Special Technology Zone and Tech7 Special Technology Zone in Islamabad, the Mindbridge Special Technology Zone in Lahore, and the Capital Smart Technology Zone in Rawalpindi. These zones will have the capacity to house more than 50,000 professionals, with an export potential exceeding $350 million per year. The four zones comprise 1.4 million square feet of high-quality tech infrastructure and 130 acres of land designated exclusively for use by technology companies. The zone developers have already invested Rs30 billion in developing the specialised tech infrastructure, with additional investments of over Rs150 billion expected over the next two to four years from local and foreign technology companies.