Pakistan’s largest data centre opens as PM Shehbaz unveils Sky47 AI cloud
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the country’s “largest” data centre and Sky47 AI cloud in Islamabad. He described the new facility as “awe-inspiring” and said it reflected Pakistan’s growing strength in technology.
The prime minister said the project has a capacity of 8.5 megawatts and was completed in record time. He added that Sky47 is also building another 5MW data centre at Port Qasim in Karachi, which is expected to be completed in September.
Speaking at the ceremony, PM Shehbaz said it was an honour to witness the launch of such an important project. He praised the engineers and experts from both the civilian and military sectors who worked on the facility.
The prime minister also appreciated the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. He said the successful completion of the project showed what Pakistan could achieve through teamwork and determination.
PM Shehbaz expressed confidence that similar efforts could help the country recover from past challenges. He said Pakistan has the potential to build a stronger, more modern and forward-looking economy.
Calling the project “the future of Pakistan”, the premier said more data centres would also be established in Karachi and Lahore. He urged all state institutions to connect with the new facility, describing it as a “wonderful gift to the people of Pakistan”.
The prime minister said the advanced infrastructure offers strong security and proves that ambitious national goals can be achieved with proper planning. He added that success becomes possible when institutions work together with a shared vision.
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IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja described the project as “a step in the right direction”. She said the new facility gives Pakistan the digital infrastructure needed to compete in the global artificial intelligence economy.
The minister said high-performance computing will become essential for healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, public services and national security. She added that artificial intelligence is expected to reshape almost every major sector in the coming years.
Referring to international forecasts, she said demand for data centres could triple by 2030, while electricity needs for these facilities may rise by 160 percent. According to her, this presents a major opportunity for Pakistan to expand its digital economy.
Khawaja said Pakistan has talented engineers, developers, researchers and entrepreneurs who only need better infrastructure to compete globally. She believes the new data centre will help transform local innovation into services for national and international markets.
She also highlighted the government’s recent digital initiatives under the “Digital Nation Pakistan” vision. These include the 5G spectrum auction, expansion of undersea fibre connectivity, broadband reforms, AI skills programmes and support for AI startups through incubation centres.
Pakistan has recently accelerated investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Government departments, including the Federal Board of Revenue, are also introducing AI-based systems to improve transparency, reduce manual work and strengthen tax collection.
The country has already seen several major AI infrastructure projects announced over the past two years. These developments indicate that Pakistan is steadily building the foundation needed for a modern digital economy.
The launch of this facility shows Pakistan’s growing focus on digital technology and artificial intelligence. If similar projects continue, they could improve innovation, attract investment and create new opportunities for businesses, researchers and young professionals.
