IT exports hit record at $4.18b

Growth attributed to Pakistan's youth; 99% of skilled workforce in IT consists of young people

KARACHI:

Pakistan's information technology (IT) sector has achieved a historic milestone, with IT exports surpassing $4 billion for the first time in the country's history during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year. The figure includes more than $1 billion in export earnings generated by freelancers.

According to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), exports of IT and IT-enabled services exceeded $4.18 billion during the July-May period of fiscal year 2025-26. During the same period of the previous fiscal year, IT exports stood at $3.47 billion, reflecting a substantial increase of $709 million in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year.

The export figures include revenues earned by software companies operating in Pakistan as well as the country's growing freelance workforce.

Commenting on the achievement, Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin dedicated the growth in IT exports to Pakistan's youth, noting that more than 99% of the skilled workforce in the IT sector consists of young people.

He said freelancers have played a crucial role in driving the growth of IT exports. Young people living in towns, villages and cities across Pakistan are earning valuable foreign exchange for themselves and the country through freelancing, generating more than $1 billion in export earnings during the current fiscal year alone.

Amin added that the number of freelancers and digital workers in Pakistan continues to rise as awareness of freelancing opportunities and digital skills training grows among students and young professionals.

According to him, the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is creating new opportunities for Pakistani freelancers. In the coming years, AI-driven demand is expected to further increase freelancers' export earnings and strengthen Pakistan's position in the global digital economy.

IT exporter Dr Noman Said said Pakistan possesses significant potential to further increase IT exports and earn higher foreign exchange revenues. However, certain structural weaknesses are preventing the sector from fully utilising its capabilities.

He stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the domestic IT ecosystem and sustain the sector's impressive export growth. This would require equipping the workforce with modern, in-demand digital skills and education, while also focusing on accessing new international markets and deepening Pakistan's presence in existing ones.