Huawei Pakistan, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and DWP Technologies, has officially launched the country’s first prefabricated containerized data center.
The new Astrolabes Data Center, inaugurated on February 20 at NED University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi, is set to enhance Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and support the country’s shift toward a knowledge-driven economy.
The launch event was graced by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who highlighted the importance of this initiative as part of Pakistan’s broader E-Pakistan strategy under the Uraan Pakistan program.
This state-of-the-art facility is a significant milestone in Pakistan’s technological modernization and will serve as the digital backbone for future educational growth. This data center is now the fuel of the future. “Once the fuel of industrial development was petrol and now the fuel of the information/knowledge-based economy is data,” he said.
Technological Milestone for Pakistan’s Education Sector
The Astrolabes Data Center is strategically located at NED University in Karachi and UET Lahore, with plans to offer high-performance computing services, including Maktab ERP solutions and big data analytics. These services will be made available at subsidized rates for students, researchers, and industry professionals, stimulating growth and fostering innovation.
Syed Arsalan Manzoor, Country Manager for Data Center Facility and Critical Business at Huawei, spoke about the project’s relevance to Pakistan’s evolving digital needs: “This data center will cater to the increasing demands of the education sector, supporting research, digital learning, and administrative needs. Leveraging Huawei’s modular technology, it aims to accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation, aligning with modern technological advancements.”
Speaking at the launch, Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of HEC, emphasized the significance of the project in advancing Pakistan’s educational infrastructure: “With Astrolabes Datacenter, we are laying the foundation for a technologically advanced, data-driven education system in Pakistan. This initiative will empower institutions, educators, and students with seamless access to cutting-edge technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing, fostering innovation and research at an unprecedented scale.”
The facility features two prefabricated DC Pods with a capacity of 240 IT racks at each location, ensuring reliability and scalability for Pakistan’s growing digital demands. With 99.999% uptime, redundant fiber connectivity, and cutting-edge security infrastructure, the Astrolabes Data Center is designed to support a wide range of digital services critical to Pakistan’s education sector.
Maqsood ur Rahman, Country Manager Networks at DWP Technologies, also weighed in on the importance of the data center’s launch, describing it as a key enabler for Pakistan’s academic success: “This state-of-the-art data center is a testament to DWP Technologies’ expertise in delivering high-performance infrastructure solutions. By providing HEC with a robust and scalable digital backbone, we are enabling Pakistan’s higher education sector to thrive in the digital age.”
DWP Technologies, known for its expertise in large-scale infrastructure projects, executed the design, construction, and deployment of the Tier-III Certified Astrolabes Data Center in two phases. The project utilized containerized solutions to enhance efficiency and scalability while maintaining security, making it one of the most advanced data centers in Pakistan’s educational sector.
What’s Prefabricated Data Center?
A prefabricated data center (often referred to as a modular data center) is a type of data center that is built off-site in sections or modules and then assembled at the final location. Unlike traditional data centers that are constructed piece by piece on-site, prefabricated data centers are pre-engineered and factory-built, allowing for quicker deployment, scalability, and flexibility.
Vision 2025 and beyond
fThe Astrolabes Data Center is part of the Pakistan Vision 2025, which seeks to position the country as a leader in digital education and technological innovation. In addition to supporting higher education institutions, the center will facilitate cloud-based research, AI-driven learning, and Blockchain innovations, thereby transforming Pakistan into a digitally empowered nation.
For students, the facility promises a next-generation learning environment, offering personalized, interactive experiences that integrate emerging technologies such as AI, Blockchain, and the Metaverse.
Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Vice Chancellor of NED University, emphasized the long-term impact of the project: “This data center will serve as the digital backbone for Pakistan’s higher education landscape, enhancing collaboration, smart learning, and assessment tools, while also providing cost-effective and efficient education delivery.”
The Astrolabes Data Center sets the stage for Pakistan’s transition into a technologically adept, globally competitive nation. The facility aligns with the country’s drive to digitalize education, offering high-performance computing, cloud services, cybersecurity, and ERP & CRM solutions that will empower both students and institutions alike.
According to the latest Data Center Map, Pakistan has 22 data centers across key cities. Karachi leads with 10, cementing its position as the country’s economic hub, followed by Lahore with 8, driven by its growing IT sector. Islamabad, the capital, has 4 data centers, supporting government and educational institutions.