The estimates pouring in confirm that a total of 1,000 employees have been affected by the fire which erupted at the Software Technology Park, Islamabad last Sunday. The unfortunate incident has caused immense damage to 17 IT companies. The estimated losshas been recorded to be a massive Rs250 million,whereas the joint annual export revenue of the 17 IT companies is roughly $10 million.
The tragedy has been immeasurable in the respect that the incident also claimed lives of 3 individuals. Moreover, the building of Software Technology Park turned into ashes as the fire, said to have been caused by a short circuit, consumed the entire structure.
Also Read: Offshore IT enabled services from Pakistan
Which 17 IT companies got affected?
Following are the companies/offices which got severely affected/destroyed during the fire on Sunday:
- AKSA – Software Development Solutions (Pvt) Ltd
- Arkotech Corporation
- Croem Inc
- Digital Processing Systems
- Fliegen IT Solutions (Pvt) Ltd
- Gulfnet Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd (Apex ERP)
- Innvente Software Development Solution
- Knowledge Platform (Pvt) Ltd
- Locopixel (Pvt) Ltd
- Ora-Tech Systems (Pvt) Ltd
- OUTPOST – Information Systems and Technology Services
- Phlox Solutions
- PlanetBeyond (Data Center)
- Smart-IS (SMC Pvt) Ltd
- Techlogix (Pvt) Ltd
- Think Technology Solutions (Pvt) Ltd
- Viper Technology (Pvt) Ltd
Quick Read: 25 biggest tech companies on the Fortune 500 in 2017
P@SHA comes forward to assist the companies
Pakistan Software House Association (P@SHA) has decided to offer the affected companies a relief by arranging for them the following:
- 150 workstations from PTCL, that too, without any cost
- Free office space by NUML University
- High speed internet connectivity by Nayatel, wherever affected employees are relocated
- Free 10Mbps 100GB connections for a month by Nayatel to employees who will be working from home
- Free hardware which includes seats, servers and systems by Viper Technologies
- Free internet for two months by PTCL to employees who will work remotely
- Discounted data center and cloud services by PTCL
- Free space by a couple of IT companies in Islamabad
Read More: IT sector exports recorded at $650 million for financial year 2016-17
The Chairman of P@SHA, Barkan Saeed was also present on the site last Sunday to evaluate the damage caused by the fire, stated:
“We are saddened to witness the devastating fire at Software Technology Park (Awami Markaz) Islamabad and of the tragic loss of life and property. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the affected. We the private industry Association will do everything to ensure the business does not suffer”
What are your thoughts on preventing the occurrence of such events in the future?
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