GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan inaugurated the first software technology park of the region here on Friday.

The software technology park established in Chilisdas area of the city will provide free internet, basic facilities and co-working space to the staff of over 20 information technology companies.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the chief minister said GB had become the first region in the country to provide free internet and a co-working space to the youth in the IT sector.

He said development of information technology was top priority of his government.

He said after coming to power, the PTI-led government had taken many steps for the development of the IT sector, including the establishment of the IT department, approval of an IT board, and an e-employment scheme.

A project worth Rs1 billion has been approved in the current financial year to set up information technology parks in all districts of the region.

On the occasion, a MoU was signed between the GB information technology department and Karakoram Cooperative Bank for Rs100 million projects under the e-employment scheme to create business and employment opportunities in the IT sector.

Under the scheme, a loan of up to Rs1.5 million will be given to students for higher education while a loan of up to Rs3 million will be provided for setting up tourism related business.

The GB government is already working on a home stay project in the tourism sector under which people will be given loans on easy terms for construction of four-star rooms in tourist places.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2022