Lead

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated the country's "largest" data centre and AI cloud, Sky47, in Islamabad, terming the facility "awe-inspiring" and a "wonderful gift to the people of Pakistan." Speaking at the ceremony, the prime minister said the data centre was built in record time, showcasing the best minds from across Pakistan in both the military and civilian sectors.

Coverage Comparison

Dawn's coverage of the event focuses on the inauguration and the prime minister's broader remarks on national security and development. The first report highlights the technological advancement of the Sky47 facility, quoting PM Shehbaz's praise for the project and his commendation of the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir. The second report places the inauguration within a larger address, concentrating on the prime minister's call for Afghanistan to take action against terrorist organisations and his announcements regarding development projects in Balochistan.

Key Claims

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Sky47 data centre and AI cloud in Islamabad.
  • The data centre was built in record time.
  • The facility offers impregnable security.
  • Similar data centres will be built in Karachi and Lahore.
  • The global demand for data centres would treble by 2030, as stated by the IT minister.
  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged Afghanistan to take action against terrorist organisations.
  • The Rs300 billion Karachi-Chaman dual carriageway project will be completed within two years.
  • Around 27,000 agricultural tube wells are being converted to solar energy under a Rs75 billion project.

Inauguration of Sky47 Data Centre

PM Shehbaz described the Sky47 facility as "the future of Pakistan" and commended the minister and secretary for IT. He expressed confidence that following the model of this project could help Pakistan "make up for the losses of the past" and create "a new, dynamic and forward-looking Pakistan." He also invoked the example of Marka-i-Haq, calling it the "finest moment in Pakistan's history," and stressed that "if there is a will, there is a way."

In addition to the inauguration, PM Shehbaz announced that similar data centres will be built in Karachi and Lahore. He called on all state organs to immediately align with the new facility.

PM's Address on Afghanistan and Balochistan

Addressing the National Workshop on Balochistan, PM Shehbaz again urged Afghanistan to take action against terrorist organisations and ensure that Afghan soil was not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan. He noted that Pakistan shares over 2,600 kilometres of border with Afghanistan and has repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to act, but said the Afghan interim government "has failed to take effective action against these groups."

The prime minister also reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to the development and prosperity of Balochistan, saying Pakistan could only progress when all provinces advanced equally. He announced that the Rs300 billion dual carriageway project from Karachi to Chaman would be completed within two years. Punjab, he said, had contributed Rs150 billion to Balochistan under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, and he urged other provinces to play their full role in supporting the province's development.

PM Shehbaz further mentioned that Balochistan had been granted an additional 10 per cent quota in the distribution of laptops and scholarships, and that the Kachhi Canal Project would be completed on a fast-track basis. He praised Balochistan's contributions to Pakistan's development, saying its leadership had always placed national interest above personal or political considerations.

Perspectives

Government of Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented the Sky47 data centre as a landmark achievement, emphasizing the successful collaboration between military and civilian sectors and expressing optimism about Pakistan's future.

Interim Afghan Government (implicitly criticised)

While no spokesperson for the Afghan government is quoted, PM Shehbaz's remarks constitute a critical perspective, accusing the interim government of failing to prevent its territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan.

Military Leadership (via PM's commendation)

PM Shehbaz commended the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, under whose supervision the data centre was built, indicating military involvement in the project's delivery.