Details & Regulations

AUDIT CERTIFIED — MAY 2026

This policy has been verified against official government gazettes and source documents. View Audit Log

100% Verified

Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA)

Pakistan's statutory body for technology zone governance, incentives, and enterprise licensing

NASTP Silicon (Karachi) Tax Holidays in STZs PKR 2.2M ZD Application Fee

Quick Links

STZA Portal ZE Application Guidelines Fee Guidelines July 2025

What is STZA?SOURCE VERIFIED

The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) is an autonomous statutory body established under the STZA Act 2021. STZA is mandated to develop technology zones with internationally competitive, export-oriented structures.

Feature	Detail
Governing Law	STZA Act 2021 (Federal/ICT)
Authority Type	Autonomous statutory body, body corporate
Core Objectives	Technology transfer, FDI, human capital, innovation, R&D, job creation, tech exports, import substitution
Zone Types	Science parks, incubation centers, R&D centers, technology production centers, universities
Licensing	Zone Developer (ZD), Co-Zone Developer, Zone Enterprise (ZE)
Website	STZA — Act & Rules

STZA — Act & Rules | ZE Application Guidelines 2025

Zone Enterprise Registration Process (Federal/ICT)SOURCE VERIFIED

Eligible Technology Sectors

AI/ML Big Data Quantum Computing

Cloud IoT Blockchain DLT

Fintech AR/VR Robotics

HealthTech Biotech EdTech

Semiconductors 3D-Printing Electronics

Green Energy AgriTech IT/ITeS

Application Steps

1. Online Application

Submit at STZA — Act & Rules with supporting documents

2. Physical Copies

Submit 3 physical copies within 5 days to One Window, 16th Floor, New State Life Tower, Islamabad

3. Processing (30 Days)

STZA reviews application; may request additional information

Required Documents

Application Cover Letter (prescribed format)
Financial Proposal (investment amount, source, sponsor details, audited financials)
Business Plan (per STZA guidelines)
Strategic Objectives (per STZA format)
Undertaking (signed by CEO/equivalent)
Application Fee payment proof (to STZA HBL account)

Foreign Entities: Must incorporate/register in Pakistan before applying. Separate legal entity required if only shifting part of business to a Zone.

STZA ZE Application Guidelines 2025 »

STZA Fee Schedule (July 2025) (Federal/ICT)SOURCE VERIFIED

Fee Type	ZD/Co-ZD	ZE (Office)	ZE (PBF)
Application Fee	PKR 2,200,000	As notified	As notified
License Fee	Per schedule (based on area)	As notified	As notified
Annual Fee	PKR 0.28/sq.ft/month (allocatable area)	As notified	As notified
Amendment Fee	Per STZA notification
Late Payment Surcharge	2% per month on overdue balance

Payment: Fee must be deposited within 30 days of approval. Annual fee prorated for first/last financial year. Payment to: HBL Account: SPECIAL TECH ZONES AUTH FD, IBAN: PK61HABB0024467902070501, SWIFT: HABBPKKA

STZA Fee Guidelines July 2025 »

STZA Tax Incentives & Benefits (Federal/ICT)SOURCE VERIFIED

Benefit	Detail	Legal Basis
Corporate Tax Holiday	Tax exemption for specified period per zone notification	STZA Act 2021
Customs Duty Exemption	Zero duty on import of plant, machinery, and equipment	STZA Act 2021
Sales Tax Exemption	Zero sales tax on services within zone	STZA Act 2021
One-Window Facilitation	Single window for all government clearances	STZA Rules 2021
100% Foreign Ownership	No restriction on foreign equity	STZA Act 2021
Profit Repatriation	Free repatriation of profits	STZA Act 2021

Tip: Companies can hold both PSEB and STZA registrations for cumulative tax benefits — PSEB for 1% export tax plus STZA for zone tax holidays.

Notified Special Technology Zones (Federal/ICT)SOURCE VERIFIED

Zone Name	Location	Status	Key Notes
NASTP Silicon	Near PAF Base Faisal, Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi	Notified	Previously "NASTP Sierra" — renamed Dec 2024
Maritime Tech Park	TBA	Expansion	Under development

NASTP Silicon » | Maritime Tech Park »

Recent STZA Notifications & SROs

Reference	Subject	Date
SRO 744(I)/2023 — STZA Customs Duty Exemption	Customs duty exemption for STZA zone enterprises — IT equipment, servers, networking gear imported by zone enterprises exempt from customs duty	2023
STZA Zone Expansion Notification	Maritime Tech Park — new technology zone established under STZA Act	Mar 2025
STZA Name Change Notification	NASTP Sierra renamed to NASTP Silicon — zone name change certificate	Dec 2024
STZA Fee Guidelines July 2025	Application fees, license fees, and annual charges for zone enterprises and licensees	Jul 2025
STZA ZE Application Guidelines 2025	Eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and process for zone enterprise registration	2025