Pakistan ranks 16th globally in outsourcing talent index, says IT minister
Shaza also revealed that Chinese satellite internet firms, including Galaxy Space and Shanghai Space, have expressed interest in entering the Pakistani market. PHOTO: APP
Pakistan ranks 16th out of 193 countries in the 2026 Global Outsourcing Talent Index by Ataraxis, placing it among the top 9% globally, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Saturday.
The country has been growing at an average rate of around 20% annually, reflecting what the minister described as steady expansion in Pakistan’s technology sector.
In a statement, Fatima said that, notably, Pakistan had outstripped several major economies in the index, including the United Kingdom (29th), Spain (49th), France (73rd), and Germany (84th). It also ranks ahead of China (37th), Vietnam (32nd), and Colombia (31st).
According to the 2026 Global Outsourcing Talent Index by Ataraxis, 🇵🇰 ranks #16 out of 193 countries - placing us in the top 9% globally.
Our talent score of 80/100 ranks #8 globally, ahead of every EU. Middle Eastern & African country in the index.#techdestinationpakistan pic.twitter.com/epAMRmRkgzShe said the report suggested Pakistan could improve its ranking to 11th globally with further improvements in digital infrastructure.
The ministry highlighted ongoing initiatives, including expansion of telecom spectrum, a national fibreisation plan, addition of submarine cables, and improved terrestrial connectivity with China and Central Asia.
She also pointed to efforts to develop digital skills, including training programmes targeting one million youth in artificial intelligence, the government’s Digiskills.pk platform, and various apprenticeship and internship schemes aimed at supporting freelancers and IT companies.
The minister said Pakistan was also focusing on international outreach, noting participation in more than 40 global technology events over the past 18 months, alongside efforts to promote the country’s tech branding in major global markets.
The initiatives, she said, aimed to position Pakistan as a competitive destination for technology services and outsourcing.
Read: Cyber law vital for digital investment
Last month, addressing a cybersecurity-related event, she said that strengthening cybersecurity is essential for building investor confidence and ensuring the success of Pakistan's digital transformation.
The minister said that without a strong cybersecurity framework, it would not be possible to establish complete confidence among foreign investors and businesses seeking to operate in Pakistan's digital economy.
She further added that the government had already digitised more than 32 government services, while access to National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) documents had also been enabled through mobile applications.
However, she stressed that further growth in the digital sector and greater foreign investment would depend on strengthening the country's legal, policy and institutional frameworks from a cybersecurity perspective.
The minister noted that cybersecurity was no longer limited to technical infrastructure alone but had broader implications for society and the state.