CM KP announces establishment of a state-of-the-art Innovation Hub at the provincial level
Chitral Times Report
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, has announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Innovation Hub at the provincial level as a major step towards promoting working spaces and the development of Information Technology in the province. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Innovation Hub will be set up within the premises of the University of Peshawar.
The decision was taken during a joint meeting of the Higher Education and Information Technology Departments chaired by the Chief Minister. The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to CM on Information Technology Shafqat Ayaz, Secretary IT Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Higher Education Kamran Afridi, and other relevant officials. During the meeting, officials briefed the Chief Minister on various aspects of the proposed Innovation Hub. It was revealed that the hub will comprise 22 private offices, two large event halls, a conference room, a boardroom, two committee rooms, and two co-working spaces. The facility will utilize the building of the existing incubation center at the University of Peshawar.
Once operational, the Innovation Hub is expected to generate an annual income of up to Rs. 60 million for the university. It will serve as a multipurpose IT center, offering a conducive environment for students, freelancers, and private IT companies, particularly startups and entrepreneurs. All necessary facilities and services for startups and entrepreneurship will be available under one roof.
The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to ensure the timely launch of the Innovation Hub and stated that similar hubs will be established at other universities following the success of this project. He emphasized that the initiative will help financially strengthen the university and provide high-quality co-working spaces to youth and companies involved in the IT sector.He added that the project would promote the use of modern technology and open up new employment opportunities for young people.
The meeting also gave in-principle approval for the establishment of Digital Connects in divisional headquarters. Initially, these will be set up in rented buildings and will feature IT parks, co-working spaces, and computer labs.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Minister said, “We aim to provide youth in every division with access to IT innovation. We must create an enabling environment that aligns with the needs of the digital age.” He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digitizing provincial institutions and providing the necessary funding on a priority basis to transition all departments toward IT integration.
