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PM Imran inaugurates special technology zone in Lahore

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday inaugurated the Lahore Technopolis, a special technology zone, and signed agreements for bringing investments worth $300 million for its construction.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister lauded Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for paving way to build the special technology zone at a barren land spread over 800 acres in Lahore.

“Top tech companies globally have a turnover of $1000 billion each and even Indian exports from tech have reached beyond $150 billion,” he said and added that in comparison Pakistan only has exports worth $1 billion from technology-related products.

He, however, said that Pakistan has a lot of potential with its 60 percent of youth population and the incumbent government is committed to support the technology sector and remove obstacles in their way.

This sector, the prime minister said, could also resolve employment issues and would pave way for women staying at home to get jobs through online platforms.

“It is unfortunate that as Pakistan’s exports saw a hike recently, our economy witnessed a shortage of dollars, forcing the country to approach the IMF to bring financial stability,” he said and added that the country’s economy could not grow without an increase in exports.

Imran said that the technology sector could alone pay off the entire debt of the country.

He added that all businesses had faced a slump amid the Covid-19 outbreak, but profits of tech companies like Google, Amazon and others multiplied.

“The technological zones are aimed at bringing ease in the sector and take full advantage of its potential,” the prime minister said and cited examples of China and India,, where their people initially invested in those projects and later foreign investors joined them.

While giving the example of China, the prime minister said that they eliminated corruption through planning and initially terminated 450 ministerial-level people over financial wrongdoings.

“China pulled out 700 million of its population above the poverty line in 40 years,” he said adding it was their exports that made China a global economic power.

Earlier, the prime minister also distributed licences among the companies which would be operating in the Technopolis.

The event also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for an investment of $300 million for the establishment of another three technology zones in different parts of the country.

CM Buzdar said Lahore has been selected as the Technopolis considering the existence of universities and other tech institutes as well as companies in the city.

“The project would help carry out technology-based researches and studies,” he said.

In order to attract investment to Technopolis, the government has given a 10-year tax exemption to companies operating there. Companies from various countries like the US, Canada, China and Australia are approaching to invest here, he added.

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LKPC hosted Inspire Pakistan Knowledge Forum (IPKF) 2018

Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC) organized Inspire Pakistan-Knowledge Forum 2018 on February 7th 2018 in Lahore. The forum was aimed at initiating a meaningful dialogue about Pakistan’s transition towards a 21st century knowledge-based economy. Inspire Pakistan-Knowledge Forum has been organized under LKPC’s Knowledge Ambassadors Program through which students of various universities has been engaged to lead the agenda of Pakistan’s evolution as a modern knowledge economy. Participants to the seminar included leading academicians, dignitaries from government and industry, scientists, researchers, students and members of the civil society.

A large number of students from University of the Punjab, University of Engineering Science & Technology, Kinnaird College, Lahore College for Women University, FAST University and University of the Central Punjab attended the event. Syed Raza Ali Gillani, Provincial Minister Higher Education was the Chief Guest of the forum whereas Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, UNESCO science laureate and former Federal Minister Science and Technology participated as the Guest of Honor. Lt. Gen(R) Mohammad Akram, Chairman LKPC and Mr. Nabeel Awan, Secretary Higher Education were also present on the gathering.

Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman addressed the ceremony through an enlightening talk on “Exciting World of Discovery”. The forum hosted an insightful panel dialogue which was moderated by Dr. Zubair Iqbal Ghouri, Chief Executive Officer, LKPC on the potentials and challenges of Pakistan as an Emerging Knowledge Economy. Members to the panel included Ms. Simi Raheal, Senior Researcher in Media and Development Studies, Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmed Khalid, Vice Chancellor UET, Mr. Khurram Zafar, Executive Director National Incubation Center, Ms. Marium Mohiuddin, Director Social Innovation Lab, Ms. Asma Hyder, Member Social Sector Development, Planning Commission of Pakistan. Dr. Athar Osama, Member Science, Technology and ICT from Planning Commission gave a keynote address.

Dr. Zubair, CEO LKPC apprised the audience about the on-going interventions of Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC). He said that LKP is the embodiment of the vision of Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to connect Punjab and by extension Pakistan with the 21st century global knowledge economy. He talked about the international engineering, science and technology university which is going to be established at Lahore Knowledge Park as a consortium of three Italian Universities. Pak-Italy University is expected to commence its classes from October 2018.

A top-of-the-line European teaching medical hospital is also being setup at Lahore Knowledge Park (LKP). The company is also at the planning stage with various other Swedish and Chinese universities to setup their campuses at LKP. He further shared that ground breaking of the Lahore Knowledge Park is expected to be held this year as the construction works have been started at the project site.

Lahore Knowledge Park Company has been setup by the Government of the Punjab under Higher Education Department to plan and establish fourth generation knowledge and research parks in the province of Punjab. LKP is going to be the inaugural project of the company. As a first knowledge park of the country, LKP is going to be a game changer for the socioeconomic progression of Punjab and by extension Pakistan.

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LKPC Swansea University, UK

Lahore Knowledge Park Company Held Discussions with Swansea University, UK

Meaningful discussions held between the team of Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC) and the delegation from Swansea University, UK at the company’s head office in Lahore on March 6, 2017. The delegation comprised of Head of Business School, Swansea University, Professor Marc Clement along with the university’s finance and international business consultants. The team of LKPC was represented by its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the members from Board of Directors. The meeting was also attended by Minister Higher Education, Punjab, Syed Raza Ali Gillani.
During the meeting, both parties deliberated in detail over the prospects of developing strategic partnership for knowledge transfer in Pakistan. Discussions particularly involved setting up the campus of Swansea University in Lahore Knowledge Park. To start with, the foreign varsity intends to offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in various unique and internationally recognized management and ICT disciplines. Management degree programs with specialization in entrepreneurship, e-commerce, data management, sustainable society, digital society, IT, health and well-being will be given priority to prepare graduates for 21st century.
The delegates were briefed in detail on the master plan of Lahore Knowledge Park (LKP) and its priority areas of intervention. Chairman LKPC, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Mohammad Akram Khan highlighted the endorsement of provincial government for the development of this iconic project. He further said that offering world class education to the country’s youth is the primary strategic commitment of Government of the Punjab. Both sides reiterated to work towards further refining the preliminary plans on fast track basis.
Lahore Knowledge Park is being developed as a mega-scale project on the lines of Stanford Research Park, USA. As the first science and technology park of the country, LKP is going to host international universities, R&D centers to facilitate applied research in the areas of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, ICT, Engineering Sciences, Media and Arts. The Park will host innovation hubs, business incubation centers, world-class convention facilities, residential areas, a mixed use central business district and other lifestyle amenities, making it a smart city fully in compliance with the global standards for quality living.

For further information, please contact:
Farzeen Khan
Senior Manager Communications
Lahore Knowledge Park Company
Cell:0321-7057359
Email: farzeen.khan@lkpc.com.pk

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Delegation from the University of Lincoln

Lahore Knowledge Park held Discussions with University of Lincoln UK

As part of its academic outreach drive, Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC) held progressive discussions with the delegation from University of Lincoln, UK. Mr. David Cobham, Dean of Translational Education accompanied by Dr. Termit Kaur, Visiting Fellow at University of Lincoln met the team of LKPC at its Head Office in Lahore on March 20, 2017. Lahore Knowledge Park Company was represented by its Chairman, Gen Mohammad Akram and Chief Executive Officer, Ali Bahadur Qazi.

During the meeting, the delegates were briefed in detail on the master plan of Lahore Knowledge Park (LKP) and its priority areas. They were also apprised about the support from provincial government in terms of its strategic commitment towards the development of this iconic project.  Chairman LKPC urged the delegates to put up a financially viable and self-sustainable proposal of setting-up a university campus at LKP.  He further said that university has to bring in their knowledge capital in terms of their faculty and curricula alongside their accreditations.

Mr. David Cobham recognized LKP as the most suitable potential locale for University of Lincoln to setup its campus in Pakistan. University of Lincoln is ranked among the top 30 universities of UK and is offering multiple degree programs in the areas of Information and Communication Technology, Engineering and Life Sciences, Arts and Business. Initially, the university plans to offer degree programs in Data Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Mechatronics and Robotics as part of LKP.  Both sides reaffirmed to take forward the discussions to the pertinent governing bodies in order to lay off mutually feasible and self-sustainable models of service delivery.  The discussions were followed by a visit to the site of Lahore Knowledge Park. Lahore Knowledge Park is being developed as a mega-scale project on the lines of Stanford Research Park, USA.

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Agreement Signing with OCL

Lahore Knowledge Park Company Inks Agreement with OCL to Spearhead Construction Work on the Iconic Project

The Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC) has awarded a contract to Osmani & Company Private Limited (OCL) to oversee the development work of the iconic Lahore Knowledge Park (LKP), the nation’s first technology and growth park. A contract to this effect was signed in Lahore by Mr. Shahid Zaman, CEO Lahore Knowledge Park and Mr. Farhan Haider, Executive Director of OCL. Under the terms of the agreement OCL has been appointed as engineering consultants, for developing the detailed urban design and guidelines of the Lahore Knowledge Park project. As engineering consultants OCL will also prepare the architectural and engineering design of buildings within the park and extend supervisory services for infrastructure development and construction works.
Lahore Knowledge Park is being developed as a mega public-private partnership project, fully in alignment with the internationally recognized practices of sustainable development. Modelled on the lines of Stanford Research Park, USA, the Lahore Knowledge Park is Pakistan’s first fourth generation science and technology park. It will employ the triple helix model to promote collaboration between academia, R&D and industry in order to stimulate commercial innovation aimed at sustainable economic growth.
The park will host world class universities and schools, research centres and innovation hubs, business incubation centres, world-class convention facilities, residential areas, a mixed use central business district, hotels, recreation facilities and other lifestyle amenities, making it a smart city fully in compliance with the global standards for quality living. LKP will house industry specific clusters to accelerate research and innovation in Biotechnology & Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Engineering Sciences, ICT, Media, Arts and Culture.
The beginning of the year 2017 will see start of construction work on the mega project, designed to take Punjab and by extension Pakistan in to the Global Knowledge Economy.

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Public Hearing on LKP Environmental Impact Assessment Report

Public Hearing Of Lahore Knowledge Park Enviornment Impact Assesment Held Project will Help Preserve the Area ‘s Natural Environment with Increased Plantation & Effective Wastewater Drainage Measures

On December 15, 2016 a Public Hearing was organized on the Environment Impact Assessment Report of Lahore Knowledge Park (LKP) at Mauza Dera Rakh Chahi, on Bedian Road, near the project site. As an essential step towards project development, the Public Hearing leads to environment approval of LKP by the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The hearing was attended by EPA’s District Officer Environment Mr. Anjum Riaz, executives from Osmani & Company, the engineering consultants of the project, officials from Lahore Knowledge Park Company, area residents and general public. During the session, audiences were apprised about the master plan of Lahore Knowledge Park.
Dr. Jamil Kazmi, an environmentalist with Osmani & Company gave a detailed presentation on the Environment Impact Study of LKP and covered various issues related to the area’s ecology i.e. air and noise pollution, wastewater management, and flora and fauna indigenous to the of surroundings of 852 acres of the project’s site.
He briefed that the development of LKP entails no resettlement or relocation of the masses, and will in effect improve the overall environment of the area. He further talked about the planning principals of LKP which will ensure an ecologically favorable development, where clean and green will be the impetus. Internationally recognized practices of sustainable development will be adopted in order to preserve the biodiversity, ecology and habitat of the area. Dr. Kazmi also briefed about the socioeconomic opportunities which will be rendered for the area inhabitants, saying LKP will generate thousands of jobs.
Mr. Muhammad Rashid from LKP opened the session with an overview about the Lahore Knowledge Park, an iconic technology and growth park with a capital outlay of PkR 107 Billion. He explained that the project enshrines the vision to make Punjab and by extension Pakistan Asia’s nodal point for global knowledge based economy. The Lahore Knowledge Park will house world class universities, science and innovation hubs, research centers, business incubators, in a holistic lifestyle smart city, he further said.

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