In Pakistan’s evolving digital landscape, the spotlight is gradually shifting toward emerging towns like Dhanote in South Punjab. Once overlooked in national tech policy, Dhanote is now on track to become a major digital node, thanks to programs backed by STZA, Ignite, and forward-looking platforms. But before putting capital into this promising zone, investors must understand the region’s potential, infrastructure, and ecosystem. Here’s what you need to know about investing in this transformative IT hub in Pakistan:

Government-Backed Development Programs

Quick Answer: STZA and Ignite are pioneering support systems in Dhanote’s IT growth story.

The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) has identified Dhanote as a growth-ready zone, eligible for 10-year tax incentives, customs exemptions on IT equipment, and business facilitation centers. Meanwhile, Ignite and NAVTTC are running digital skills programs in the Bahawalpur and Multan belt, feeding trained youth into the Dhanote ecosystem.

Noteworthy programs include:

• Digiskills.pk bootcamps for freelancers

• Startup Pakistan incubation grants

• Women Empowerment through IT (Bahawalpur Pilot)

These incentives are creating a structured foundation for tech growth in smaller urban centers like Dhanote.

South Punjab’s Strategic Value for Tech Expansion

Quick Answer: Dhanote’s location between Bahawalpur and Multan enhances logistical and human capital access.

Dhanote, positioned within Lodhran District, enjoys proximity to urban centers like Multan, a regional academic and industrial capital, and Bahawalpur, a growing tech education hub. This triangle supports:

• Easy recruitment from universities (BZU Multan, IUB Bahawalpur)

• Smooth supply chains through regional highways

• Collaboration between rural innovation centers and metropolitan investors

This regional synergy is vital for any long-term investment, especially in tech-driven verticals.

Understanding the Infrastructure Pipeline

Quick Answer: Dhanote is being equipped with fiber optics, smart workspaces, and clean energy tech zones.

Infrastructure has historically been the biggest hurdle for rural tech zones, but Dhanote’s IT Zone is breaking that pattern. A key component of the area’s attractiveness is its newly deployed broadband infrastructure, backed by the Universal Service Fund (USF) and regional electricity grid upgrades.

Investors will benefit from:

• Plug-and-play office spaces

• Redundant fiber-optic networks

• Solar-powered IT blocks

• Co-working hubs and incubators

These developments lower operational costs while promoting ESG-compliant growth.

The Role of Dhanote IT Park in Investor Security

Quick Answer: The park offers low-risk entry points with legal, logistical, and taxation support.

Midway through your investment consideration, it’s critical to understand the direct role of Dhanote IT Park. It’s not just a physical zone—it’s a structured investment facilitator backed by provincial and federal endorsements.

Here’s what it provides:

• Legal protection under STZA’s framework

• Onboarding assistance with SECP, FBR, and NADRA

• Mentorship programs through Ignite’s startup partners

• Bespoke workspaces for tech founders and small enterprises

This minimizes red tape and accelerates your route to market in Pakistan’s tech scene.

Opportunities in Freelancing and Remote Services

Quick Answer: South Punjab is home to a growing freelancer population trained in digital skills.

According to Ignite, Multan Division alone trained over 45,000 freelancers in 2023, generating approx. PKR 1.5 billion in online income. Dhanote benefits from this labor pool, enabling investors to build:

• Remote service teams for international clients

• Scalable BPO operations

• Freelance incubation labs within the IT park

Investing in support structures (shared offices, mentorship, tools) for this workforce yields both economic and social ROI.

Startup Ecosystem and Local Innovation

Quick Answer: Dhanote is fostering grassroots startups with regional relevance.

Entrepreneurship in Dhanote is not just encouraged—it’s actively cultivated. The rise of startups in agriculture tech, educational software, and mobile commerce is reshaping how South Punjab engages with technology.

Examples include:

• CropIntel – a soil analysis and AI-based irrigation platform

• Sehat Dost – a rural telehealth app connecting Bahawalpur doctors with patients in Lodhran

• BazaarNow – a digital store for handicrafts from Southern Punjab villages

These ventures, often overlooked by VCs in urban areas, present ground-floor opportunities for impact-driven investors.

Female Inclusion and Diversity in Tech

Quick Answer: Women in South Punjab are entering tech with support from targeted training and safe workspaces.

The Women Empowerment through IT (WIT) initiative has led to the setup of female-only training labs in Bahawalpur and Multan, with new programs being expanded into Dhanote. These efforts are supported by:

• Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)

• Ignite’s gender-inclusive bootcamps

• Safe transport and working conditions

This offers investors the chance to support inclusive hiring policies while tapping into an underutilized workforce segment.

Digital Exports from South Punjab: The Rising Curve

Quick Answer: IT exports from the region are on a double-digit growth trajectory.

PSEB reports that Pakistan’s Tier-2 cities (including Multan, Bahawalpur, and Lodhran) saw a 23% rise in IT exports in 2023. Dhanote’s integration into this trend is aided by:

• A tech-savvy youth population

• Dedicated freelancing support centers

• Academic-industry linkages

By setting up in Dhanote, investors can gain access to:

• Low-cost, high-quality production units

• Export processing support under STZA

• Global markets via trained digital labor

Risk Assessment and Due Diligence in Rural Tech Zones

Quick Answer: Investors must navigate regulatory, labor, and market-readiness factors before committing.

Despite its advantages, rural IT investment requires mindful due diligence. In Dhanote, key considerations include:

• Ensuring consistent power and internet uptime

• Evaluating the availability of skilled management

• Understanding the local legal landscape for tech enterprises

The good news is that Dhanote IT Park offers onboarding advisors and access to policy guidance through its Startup Facilitation Cell—a feature uncommon in most rural zones.

Investor Tips: Making the Most of Dhanote’s Potential

Quick Answer: Focus on agility, localization, and talent development.

To capitalize on Dhanote’s emergence:

• Localize your service models to suit rural consumers

• Hire and train from local universities and bootcamps

• Partner with STZA or PITB to access grants and benefits

• Adopt a hybrid model (urban oversight + rural ops)

Early movers in these strategies are likely to shape South Punjab’s tech trajectory for the next decade.

FAQs

1. What makes Dhanote a good place for IT investment?
Its strategic location, government incentives, and growing talent pool make it ideal for tech operations.

2. Is Dhanote part of the STZA framework?
Yes. Dhanote is one of the designated areas benefiting from STZA’s tax and infrastructure support.

3. What sectors are best to invest in within Dhanote’s IT zone?
Edtech, agri-tech, remote services, and IT-enabled exports show strong potential.

4. How can startups benefit from Dhanote IT Park?
They gain access to mentorship, subsidized workspaces, legal support, and export facilitation.

5. Are there risks associatedwith investing in rural tech zones like Dhanote?
Challenges include power reliability and management recruitment, but the ecosystem is evolving rapidly.

6. Is Dhanote suitable for women-led tech initiatives?
Yes, inclusive infrastructure and government training support are in place for female entrepreneurs.

7. Can international investors benefit from incentives in Dhanote?
Yes. STZA and SECP offer regulatory ease and investor support for foreign participants.

Final Thought

As someone who has worked closely with youth and tech trainers across South Punjab, I can attest to the transformational energy in Dhanote. It’s not just another zone on the map—it’s a ground-level revolution in how underserved regions can contribute to national tech growth. With the right guidance and patient capital, Dhanote could become a model for decentralized digital economies in Pakistan.