Islamabad Facility Brings Sovereign Cloud Infrastructure
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated Pakistan’s largest purpose-built, artificial intelligence-ready data centre and Sky47 cloud platform in Islamabad on Friday.
The facility has a power capacity of 8.5 megawatts. It is designed to support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data storage and high-performance digital workloads.
PM Shehbaz described the project as an impressive achievement for Pakistan’s technology sector.
He said the facility was completed in record time through cooperation between leading civilian and military professionals.
The prime minister called the data centre an important part of Pakistan’s future. He urged government institutions to use the new infrastructure for secure digital services.
Sky47 provides locally hosted cloud and artificial intelligence services. The platform aims to reduce dependence on overseas data infrastructure.
Local hosting can improve data security, reduce processing delays and support national data sovereignty.
The company describes Sky47 as Pakistan’s first purpose-built, artificial intelligence-ready data centre platform for sovereign cloud services and digital transformation.
Karachi and Lahore Data Centres Planned
PM Shehbaz announced that similar data centres would also be developed in Karachi and Lahore.
Sky47 is already building a five-megawatt facility at Port Qasim in Karachi.
The Karachi project is expected to be completed in September.
The expansion will create a wider national network for secure cloud computing and advanced artificial intelligence services.
The prime minister said the Islamabad facility demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to complete complex technology projects through strong coordination and skilled leadership.
He also praised Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and senior ministry officials for supporting the project.
PM Shehbaz said state institutions should align their digital operations with the facility.
He maintained that secure local infrastructure could protect sensitive information and strengthen confidence in Pakistan’s digital systems.
High-Performance Computing to Support Key Sectors
Speaking at the inauguration, Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the data centre would provide the infrastructure required for future economic growth.
She said access to high-performance computing would become essential across healthcare, agriculture, financial services, education, public administration and national security.
Pakistan’s engineers, researchers, developers and entrepreneurs have strong skills and ambition, she said.
However, many have lacked the advanced computing infrastructure needed to build and operate large artificial intelligence systems.
The new facility will support the development of artificial intelligence models, digital applications and locally hosted technology services.
It could also allow public and private organisations to access artificial intelligence capabilities as a service.
The minister said international demand for data centres was expected to rise sharply by 2030.
She argued that Pakistan’s young population and growing technology sector created a major opportunity in the expanding digital economy.
Khawaja also highlighted recent measures under the government’s Digital Nation Pakistan programme.
These included the 5G spectrum auction, expanded undersea fibre capacity, broadband reforms, artificial intelligence training programmes and support for technology startups.
Pakistan has accelerated investment in local data infrastructure during recent years.
A locally hosted sovereign artificial intelligence cloud was launched through a partnership between Telenor and Data Vault in November 2025.
Quantum Global Data Centre has also announced a $230 million Tier III facility expected to begin operations in 2027.
The inauguration of Sky47 adds another major project to Pakistan’s growing cloud and artificial intelligence ecosystem.
The facility could support secure government operations, technology companies, financial institutions and other organisations requiring advanced computing capacity.
