PM Shehbaz Inaugurates Pakistan’s Largest AI Data Centre and Sky47 Cloud in Islamabad

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated Pakistan’s largest data centre and AI cloud platform, Sky47 Karakorum-01, in Islamabad. The project marks another step in the country’s efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure and expand artificial intelligence capabilities.

The newly launched facility has a power capacity of 8.5 megawatts (MW), making it one of the largest data centres in Pakistan. Sky47 is also working on a 5MW data centre at Port Qasim in Karachi, which is expected to be completed in September.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the project and called the facility “awe-inspiring.” He said the data centre was completed in record time through the combined efforts of experts from both the civilian and military sectors. He also appreciated the leadership involved in delivering the project and described it as an important milestone for Pakistan’s digital future.

PM Shehbaz Inaugurates Pakistan’s Largest AI Data Centre and Sky47 Cloud in Islamabad

The prime minister said Pakistan could achieve significant progress by following similar development models. According to him, the country has the potential to overcome past challenges and build a modern, technology-driven economy through determination and teamwork.

He added that more advanced data centres for Karachi and Lahore are underway, helping expand Pakistan’s digital infrastructure across major cities. He also urged government institutions to make full use of the new facility, saying it offers secure and reliable infrastructure for future digital services.

The data centre supports a wide range of technologies, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data storage, and high-performance computing. These technologies play an increasingly important role in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, finance, education, public administration, and national security.

Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja also addressed the ceremony. She described the project as a major investment in Pakistan’s digital future, saying that modern computing infrastructure is now one of the world’s most valuable economic assets.

She explained that the demand for data centres grows rapidly over the next few years, creating new opportunities for countries that invest early. Pakistan, she said, has a young and talented workforce of engineers, developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs who now need world-class infrastructure to compete globally.

According to the minister, the new data centre will provide the computing power required to develop, train, and deploy AI models while supporting businesses and government organizations with advanced digital services.

She also highlighted several digital initiatives introduced over the past two years under the government’s “Digital Nation Pakistan” vision. These include the successful 5G spectrum auction, expansion of international internet connectivity through additional undersea fibre capacity, broadband reforms, AI skills development programs, and support for AI startups through National Incubation Centres.

See Also: PTA Survey Flags Peak-Hour Congestion and Latency Issues in Pakistan’s Broadband Networks

Pakistan has been making steady progress in developing its digital infrastructure. In November 2025, Telenor and Data Vault launched the country’s first locally hosted AI data centre and sovereign AI cloud. More recently, Quantum Global Data Centre announced plans to build a Tier III data centre with an investment of $230 million, which will begin operations in 2027.

Government departments have also started adopting artificial intelligence in daily operations. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), for example, has introduced AI-based systems to improve transparency, reduce manual processes, and enhance tax collection.

With the launch of Sky47 Karakorum-01, Pakistan continues to expand its AI and cloud computing capabilities. The new facility will likely support businesses, government organizations, researchers, and technology startups while helping accelerate the country’s digital transformation.