SCO Accelerates Digital Inclusion: 7th Software Technology Park Inaugurated in Dadyal, Freelancing Hub Launched in Khuiratta DADYAL, AJK
RWALPINDI ( WEB NEWS )
In a landmark move towards digital empowerment and socio-economic uplift, the Special Communications Organization (SCO) has expanded its IT footprint in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with an inauguration of the 7th Software Technology Park (STP) in Dadyal, Mirpur District, and a new Freelancing Hub (FLH) in Khuiratta, Kotli District. The initiative, spearheaded by DG SCO Maj Gen Umar Ahmad Shah HI(M) is part of SCO’s Vision 2025, aimed at equipping AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) with cutting-edge IT infrastructure to bridge the digital divide and create sustainable employment opportunities.
As part of a broader plan to establish 50 IT setups (STPs & FLHs) in AJK, the newly launched Dadyal STP becomes the seventh operational technology park, while 20 freelancing hubs are already functional across the region. These hubs are designed to provide the youth, especially women and marginalized communities, with access to digital skills, enabling them to secure online employment and contribute to Pakistan’s growing digital economy. Over 6,500 job opportunities have already been created through these initiatives, with 1,400 freelancers—many of them women—actively engaged in online work.
Located in the heart of Dadyal, the state-of-the-art Software Technology Park is a game-changer for aspiring IT professionals and entrepreneurs. Equipped with high-speed internet, co-working spaces, and incubation facilities for startups, the park is set to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and freelancing opportunities, ensuring that local talent can compete globally.
Speaking at the event, DG SCO emphasized the transformative power of digital inclusion, stating: “SCO is committed to providing the youth of AJK and GB with the tools and infrastructure needed to thrive in the digital economy. These STPs and FLHs are not just buildings; they are platforms of opportunity, empowerment, and progress. Our goal is to turn AJK into an IT hub where young people can create, innovate, and lead in the global digital marketplace.”
The events were attended by government officials, IT professionals, and community leaders, who lauded SCO’s role in fostering economic development through technology. The launch of the STP in Dadyal and FLH in Khuiratta marks a significant step towards reducing unemployment and providing sustainable livelihoods for AJK’s youth.