KARACHI – The Sindh government and CMPak, the parent company of Zong, have agreed to collaborate on establishing an AI-ready Tier-III data centre in Karachi under a public-private partnership.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and CMPak Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Huo Junli at the Chief Minister’s House.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s House, CMPak officials briefed the chief minister on the infrastructure requirements of the proposed facility.
They said an AI-ready Tier-III data centre would require a significantly higher and uninterrupted power supply compared with conventional telecom facilities.
CMPak seeks power infrastructure support
CMPak has requested provincial support for several measures needed to develop the facility.
These include an industrial electricity tariff, increased grid capacity and dual power feeds to provide redundancy. The company has also sought priority status and fast-track facilitation for the project.
Mr Shah directed the relevant provincial departments to examine CMPak’s proposals. These include the possible conversion of the electricity tariff from the commercial to the industrial category, expansion of grid capacity and provision of dual power feeds.
The chief minister assured the company that the provincial government would provide support within its mandate.
He said Sindh was ready to work with CMPak to develop the proposed AI-ready data centre in Karachi.
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Karachi targets larger role in digital infrastructure
Mr Shah said projects involving data infrastructure, artificial intelligence and cloud computing were important for Pakistan’s digital economy.
He added that such investments could create high-value employment, support innovation and strengthen the country’s technological capabilities.
According to the chief minister, Karachi has the potential to become a regional hub for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data hosting and digital innovation because of its strategic location, connectivity and growing demand for digital services.
He said digital infrastructure was increasingly becoming a key component of economic development and competitiveness.
“Projects such as Zong’s AI-ready data centre will not only support the growing digital economy but also create new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and employment,” he said.
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CMPak highlights investment in Pakistan
CMPak officials told the meeting that the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation.
They said CMPak currently serves more than 55 million subscribers in Pakistan and has invested more than $3 billion in the country.
The company has also launched 5G services in more than 20 cities, according to its officials.
Huo Junli said the proposed Karachi data centre would become an important part of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
He said the facility would provide secure local data hosting, advanced cloud services and AI infrastructure while supporting digital transformation among businesses and other organisations.
The project, he added, would provide infrastructure for businesses, government institutions and emerging technologies.
The meeting was also attended by Special Assistant on IT Ali Rashid and Energy Secretary Shuhab Ansari. CMPak officials included Board Member and Chief Regulatory Officer Kamran Ali and Director Data Centre Construction Syed Ahmed Hassan. Other senior officials also attended.
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Key points:
- Sindh government and CMPak, Zong’s parent company, agree to work on an AI-ready Tier-III data centre in Karachi.
- CMPak has sought industrial electricity tariffs, higher grid capacity and dual power feeds for the facility.
- Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed relevant departments to examine the company’s proposals and facilitate the project.
- The data centre is expected to support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, local data hosting and digital services.
- CMPak says it has more than 55 million subscribers in Pakistan and has invested over $3 billion in the country.
