Shujauddin Qureshi

The opening of Data Vault Pakistan, the country's first artificial intelligence-focused data centre, ushers in a significant step forward for Pakistan's technological development. This cutting-edge facility will establish a sovereign digital ecosystem that supports the country's growing AI ambitions.

A data vault is essentially a secure facility filled with powerful computers and storage systems that keep digital information running smoothly. It is a secure digital storage space where sensitive or critical data is kept, often with encryption and strict access controls.

“At Data Vault, we believe AI should be accessible to everyone, not just the big players,” said Mehwish Salman Ali, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Data Vault Pakistan. For anyone building or running a tech business in Pakistan, having a secure, high-speed, and locally compliant data centre is necessary.

A significant feature of this new data vault is that it is fully solar‑powered, making it Pakistan’s first eco‑friendly, green data hub. This not only cuts down on carbon emissions but also provides energy independence during power outages. Because data is stored locally, organisations can comply with privacy laws and avoid the legal complexities of sending sensitive data overseas.

“We have built Pakistan’s first AI-focused platform to empower startups, researchers, enterprises, and government agencies with secure, affordable, and high-performance computing,” said Mehwish while talking to WealthPK. Mehwish said, “We are offering GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) infrastructure as a service, so you do not have to invest millions to access the power you need.”

Data Vault Pakistan provides cloud credits, mentorship, and access to local large language models (LLMs) like its own Zahanat AI. “For enterprises and government bodies, we ensure data sovereignty, compliance, and scalable AI infrastructure right here in Pakistan,” said Mehwish. “Our goal is simple – remove barriers, create opportunities, and help Pakistan become a global force in AI,” she added.

The facility operates on 100% renewable solar energy, significantly reducing carbon emissions, supporting Pakistan's environmental goals, and providing cost-effective, sustainable computing infrastructure for environmentally conscious organisations.

“We’ve aligned ourselves with global standards like ISO 27001, NIST, and are working closely with regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance with frameworks like CTDISR and PDPB. On top of that, we offer encrypted storage, multi-layer security, and 24/7 monitoring to protect against cyber threats,” she said.

Over the next two years, Data Vault aims to become the backbone of Pakistan’s AI and digital economy growth. As Pakistan's first AI-optimised data centre, it can provide the critical infrastructure foundation for local businesses to adopt AI technologies, reduce dependence on foreign cloud providers, keep technology investments within the national economy, and accelerate Pakistan's position in the global digital economy

“We aim to faciliate national AI initiatives in areas like smart cities, healthcare diagnostics, agriculture automation, and financial inclusion by providing the secure infrastructure and computer power needed to train and deploy advanced AI models right here at home.”

Data Vault plans to be partner with universities, incubators, and government programmes to build local AI talent. Through training bootcamps, hackathons, and research grants, it aims to cultivate 10,000+ AI professionals and empower 100+ AI-driven startups. All of this directly supports Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “Uraan Pakistan” vision — transforming the digital economy into a trillion-dollar powerhouse by 2035. 

The government aims to expand Pakistan’s digital economy from around $15 billion in 2023 to as much as $150 billion by 2035.  Data Vault’s efforts in AI infrastructure and talent development will accelerate exports, boost tech-enabled industries like fintech and agriculture, and position Pakistan to attract vital foreign investment. “This is how we’ll help bring in the trillions of dollars needed to make the prime minister’s vision a reality.

We’re building the technological foundation, nurturing local capability, and accelerating innovation so Pakistan can emerge as an AI leader,” Mehwish said. The new Data Vault centre in Karachi is like a safe home for important digital information. It helps Pakistani businesses, students, and government offices keep their data protected, fast, and easy to use, without needing to send it to other countries.

Credit: INP-WealthPk