Pakistan’s IT exports grow $354mln in July

Pakistan’s information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports, which include computer-related services and call centers, recorded a substantial 24% growth in the first month (July) of the ongoing fiscal year 2025-26. According to official figures, the country earned $354 million in July, compared to $286 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

On a month-on-month basis, IT export remittances also increased by around 5%, rising from $339 million in June 2025 to $354 million in July.

IT Exports Performance in the Previous Fiscal Year

Pakistan’s IT and ITeS sector has already been on an upward trajectory. In fiscal year 2024-25, exports grew by nearly 18%, reaching $3.81 billion. This sector has consistently been highlighted as one of the fastest-growing contributors to the national economy.

Despite this strong performance, the government missed its $4.2 billion target for FY 2024-25 by around $400 million. For the current fiscal year, however, the government has set an ambitious target of $5 billion in IT exports.

Challenges Facing the IT Sector

While the sector shows remarkable potential, the IT Ministry has acknowledged several hurdles slowing down its progress. These include:

• Policy inconsistencies that create uncertainty for investors.
• Taxation challenges that discourage expansion and exports.
• Banking restrictions that make it difficult for companies to repatriate foreign earnings smoothly.

According to experts, these issues are preventing Pakistan from realizing its true IT export potential, estimated at around $15 billion.

Potential and Way Forward

Pakistan’s IT industry holds immense promise not just in terms of foreign exchange earnings but also in creating large-scale employment opportunities for the country’s youth. Analysts suggest that meeting the $5 billion export target will require a joint effort between the government and private sector, with a focus on:

• Providing better technical training to IT professionals.
• Ensuring high-speed and reliable internet infrastructure nationwide.
• Offering more support and incentives for startups and small IT companies.

If these measures are effectively implemented and the momentum continues, Pakistan’s IT sector could evolve into one of the leading drivers of the economy, contributing billions of dollars in exports while generating employment and innovation opportunities.