Gul Ahmed venture QGDC announces $230mn investment to set up Pakistan’s largest data centre

Quantum Global Data Center (QGDC), a venture of the Gul Ahmed Energy Group, has announced a $230 million investment to develop a data centre, marking its expansion into the digital infrastructure sector.

The development came as QGDC and Huawei Pakistan signed a strategic partnership agreement during the Q Summit in Karachi, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey.

The company said that the investment can go up to $600 million in three to four years.

Gul Ahmed Energy Group is a Pakistani business group with interests spanning energy generation and industrial ventures, and is part of the broader Gul Ahmed conglomerate.

“The collaboration will support the development of Pakistan’s largest Tier III Data Center alongside a state-of-the-art science and technology park, strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystem,” read the statement.

The project will establish Pakistan’s largest Tier III Data Center, designed to provide highly resilient, secure, and scalable digital infrastructure capable of supporting cloud computing, AI workloads, high-performance computing, digital finance, e-government services, and other emerging technology applications. The initiative aims to enhance local hosting capabilities, strengthen data sovereignty, and accelerate the adoption of advanced digital services across both public and private sectors.

The partnership agreement was signed by Ubaid Amanullah, Chief Operating Officer, QGDC, and Ahmed Bilal Masud, CEO AI & Cloud Business, Huawei Pakistan.

“This collaboration with Huawei represents a transformative step for Pakistan’s digital future,” said Danish Iqbal, Chairman of QGDC.

“Through the development of Pakistan’s largest Tier Ill Data Center and a world-class Science and Technology Park, we are creating the foundation for innovation, economic growth, and technological advancement. The project will strengthen national capabilities, attract investment, and support Pakistan’s emergence as a competitive digital economy.”

In his remarks, Ahmed Bilal Masud, CEO AI & Cloud Business, Huawei Pakistan, stated: “Pakistan stands at the threshold of a new digital era, and this partnership reflects our belief that AI innovation requires strong digital foundations.

“When modern data centres, high-performance computing, secure cloud platforms, and trusted digital infrastructure come together, they unlock new opportunities for businesses, governments, and society.

“We are proud to work alongside QGDC in supporting the development of Pakistan’s largest Tier III Data Center and advancing the country’s digital transformation journey.”

The partnership represents a significant step toward building a robust digital ecosystem that can support the country’s growing demand for cloud services, AI applications, digital public services, and next-generation technologies, while fostering innovation, investment, and sustainable economic development.

Addressing the event, Ali Rashid, Minister of IT Sindh, reaffirmed the Government of Sindh’s full commitment to the Karachi Technopolis and the Quantum Global Data Centre project, in collaboration with Huawei.

He emphasised that these initiatives will establish a core digital ecosystem in Karachi, pioneering data centres and advanced technology in Pakistan. The Minister highlighted that the future is built on data and IT, assuring unwavering government support to drive this vision forward.”

Last month, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and design agreement were signed between Huawei Pakistan and QGDC for collaboration on the development of what is set to become Pakistan’s largest data centre infrastructure.

Under the MoU, Huawei Pakistan would support the project through data centre design, technical planning, and specialised solutions required for the development of a next-generation, scalable, and future-ready digital infrastructure facility aligned with international standards.