Islamabad (Digital Posts) Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar, Visits Silicon Village, Capital Smart City, Islamabad

Islamabad (Digital Posts) On 19 October 2026, a four-member delegation from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar, led by Prof. Dr. Aneela Anwar, Vice Chancellor, visited Silicon Village, Capital Smart City, Islamabad. The delegation included Ms. Tashfeen Zia, Deputy Registrar, SBBWU, and Outreach and Partnership Coordinator of the Regional Connectivity Center (RCC) at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar; Dr. Mehreen-ul-Hasan, Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, SBBWU; and Dr. Nargis Jamila, Chairperson, Department of Chemistry, SBBWU.

Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Advisor to the Chairman of Habib Rafiq Engineering (Pvt.) Limited (HRL Group), welcomed the delegation and facilitated the meeting with the Silicon Village team. The meeting aimed to explore opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry, with a particular focus on empowering young women through technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, and professional development.

During the meeting, Mr. Ather Haseeb Rao, Director – Business Development, HRL Group, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the group’s operations, development, and diversified business portfolio. He highlighted HRL Group’s more than seven decades of experience in engineering, construction, infrastructure development, real estate, energy, mining, information technology, education, and healthcare. He also outlined the group’s major infrastructure and development projects in Pakistan and abroad, underscoring its role in supporting economic development, technological advancement, and large-scale investment.

Mr. Rao further highlighted HRL Group’s expanding presence in the technology and innovation sectors through initiatives such as Capital Smart City, Lahore Smart City, and Silicon Village. He emphasized the importance of developing modern infrastructure, promoting technological innovation, and creating an enabling environment for businesses, startups, and emerging professionals.

Subsequently, Mr. Junaid Ahmed, Chief Technology Officer, Smart TechOne, Islamabad, delivered a detailed presentation on Silicon Village and HRL Group’s technological initiatives. He introduced Silicon Village as a 498-acre Special Technology Zone (STZ) within Capital Smart City, Islamabad, notified by the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) on 9 August 2024, with the vision of establishing a national hub for innovation, research, and technology-driven investment.

Mr. Ahmed highlighted Silicon Village’s focus on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, biotechnology, fintech, and software development. He also outlined its specialized technology clusters and infrastructure, emphasizing their potential to promote research, entrepreneurship, and industry-academia collaboration while creating new opportunities for startups and young professionals.

A key focus of the discussion was how Silicon Village could facilitate opportunities for female students of SBBWU in information technology, entrepreneurship, research, and innovation. The participants explored potential avenues for connecting university students with technology companies, startups, industry experts, and research professionals. Discussions also focused on opportunities for internships, professional training, mentorship, entrepreneurial development, and exposure to emerging technologies, enabling young women to develop practical skills and prepare for evolving professional demands.

Prof. Dr. Aneela Anwar appreciated Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, HRL Group, and the Silicon Village team for facilitating the meeting and introducing the delegation to Pakistan’s expanding technology and innovation ecosystem. She acknowledged the importance of stronger academia-industry linkages in enhancing students’ professional competencies, promoting research-based learning, and creating opportunities for women to participate in emerging sectors of the economy. She also highlighted the potential of such engagements to broaden the academic and professional horizons of SBBWU students.

Both sides appreciated the exchange of ideas and expressed a shared interest in exploring avenues for future cooperation. The meeting underscored the importance of building bridges between academia and industry, promoting women’s participation in the digital economy, and creating pathways for young female students to engage with Pakistan’s growing technology, startup, and innovation sectors.