Tech exports rise 33% to $423m
Pakistan's technology exports maintained strong momentum in April 2026, rising 33% year?on?year to $423 million from $317 million in the same month last year, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported on Monday.
Trend data from several research houses showed technology exports steadily strengthening over the past year. In March 2025, IT exports stood at $313 million, rising slightly to $317 million in April 2025 before accelerating through FY26. The sector witnessed particularly strong momentum in the latter half of the fiscal year, with export receipts climbing consistently to record levels.
Cumulative technology exports during the first ten months of FY26 reached $3.81 billion, compared with $3.15 billion in the same period last year, reflecting annual growth of 21%. The IT sector remains one of Pakistan's fastest?growing export industries and a major contributor to services exports.
On a monthly basis, IT exports increased 2.42% from $413 million in March 2026, marking another month in which the country's technology export proceeds remained above the $400 million threshold. The continued growth highlights the resilience of Pakistan's information technology sector despite global economic uncertainty and domestic macroeconomic challenges.
The government celebrated the milestone. "Pakistan's ICT sector has achieved a major milestone: the nation has already surpassed the entire IT export figure recorded in FY2024?25 within just the first ten months of FY2025?26," the Ministry of ITT posted on X.
Adviser to the Finance Minister on Economic Affairs Khurram Schehzad wrote, "Another strong milestone for Pakistan's IT sector."
He said monthly technology exports reached $423 million in April, the second?highest figure on record, with 33% year?on?year and 2% month?on?month growth. Cumulative exports during 10MFY26 rose to $3.8 billion, reflecting a 21% annual increase. He added that Pakistan's technology sector is steadily emerging as a key driver of export growth and economic transformation. Analysts attributed the expansion to rising demand for Pakistani software development, cloud solutions, business process outsourcing and freelancing services in international markets. They also cited improved digital payment channels, expansion of export?oriented technology firms and a growing global client base for startups and software houses.
"Pakistan's IT sector has now proven that talent is our strongest export commodity," Si Global CEO Noman Ahmed Said told The Express Tribune. "If we combine AI?focused education, cybersecurity readiness, international academic collaboration and business digitisation with supportive policies and easy financing, Pakistan can emerge as a serious global technology destination rather than just a low?cost outsourcing market." Compared with regional players such as India (over $200 billion in annual IT services exports) or emerging economies like Vietnam and the Philippines, Pakistan still has massive untapped potential. The current momentum should be treated as a foundation rather than a finish line.
To sustain the government's FY29 target of $10 billion under the "Uraan Pakistan" vision, the country must move beyond basic outsourcing and invest in specialised high?value domains. Artificial Intelligence training, cybersecurity expertise, cloud computing, data analytics and product engineering should become national priorities. He also advocated for focused, industry?driven syllabus reforms to improve global exposure and bridge the academia?industry gap.
AKD Securities Director Research Mohammed Awais Ashraf said increasing internet penetration, the growing number of IT graduates and favourable government policies have significantly boosted technology exports. Additionally, the launch of 5G services, improving global connectivity and rupee stability will further enhance internet availability, helping to sustain the momentum in technology exports, Ashraf believed.