The month of October marked a historic moment as Pakistani IT exports crossed $386 million for the first time, reflecting the sector’s rapid growth and rising global demand for digital services from Pakistan. This milestone is part of a steady upward trend, confirming that Pakistani IT exports are becoming one of the country’s strongest economic pillars.
Record-Breaking Performance in October 2025
According to the State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistani IT exports grew by 17% year-on-year, showcasing the sector’s expansion and increasing competitiveness in the global market. In October alone, the growth rate stood at 5.5%, pushing monthly IT and IT-enabled services exports to an impressive $386 million—surpassing all previous records.
For comparison, Pakistani IT exports in September 2025 were $366 million. This sharp monthly rise reflects the robustness of demand and the industry’s ability to scale services quickly.
Strong Growth in the First Four Months of FY 2025–26
The performance of the IT sector becomes even more noteworthy when examining the cumulative data. In the first four months of the fiscal year, Pakistani IT exports reached $1.4 billion. During the same four-month period last year, exports were recorded at $1.2 billion. This represents a solid 20% increase over the previous year.
Such growth is not only promising for the sector but also critical for strengthening Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and diversifying the national export portfolio, which has historically been dominated by textiles.
Key Factors Driving the Surge in IT Exports
Industry experts attribute the rise in Pakistani IT exports to several key developments that have boosted confidence among exporters and helped companies scale their operations more effectively.
Increased Foreign Currency Retention Limits
One of the major contributors to export growth has been the government’s decision to allow IT companies to retain 35–50% of their export earnings in foreign currency accounts. This policy incentivised companies to bring more revenue into Pakistan while still giving them the flexibility to pay international vendors, invest in tools, purchase software licenses, and fund global marketing campaigns.
The ability to manage operational expenses without facing currency conversion delays has provided much-needed financial autonomy to IT companies, enabling them to expand more aggressively.
Stability of the Pakistani Rupee
Currency stability has also played a crucial role in boosting exporter confidence. With the rupee stabilising against the US dollar, IT firms can plan expenditures more accurately and set long-term pricing strategies without fear of sudden exchange-rate shocks. This stability attracts foreign clients as well, who prefer predictable pricing models.
Expanding Presence in International Markets
Another significant reason behind the growth in Pakistani IT exports is the sector’s expansion into new global regions. Pakistani IT companies are rapidly gaining traction in the Middle East, North Africa, and various European countries. The rising demand in these regions is driven by Pakistan’s competitive pricing, skilled workforce, and capacity to deliver high-quality digital solutions.
Firms are now offering a diverse range of services including:
- Software development
- Cloud services
- Digital transformation consulting
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Business process outsourcing
- Artificial intelligence and automation services
- Mobile and web application development
As global businesses continue to digitize operations, Pakistani firms are seizing opportunities and positioning themselves as reliable and innovative technology partners.
A Promising Outlook for the Future
The future of Pakistani IT exports looks highly promising. With a young and tech-savvy population, expanding IT training programs, and strong demand from international clients, the sector is expected to continue its upward trajectory.
Government support through favourable policies, improved freelancer facilitation, and infrastructure upgrades is further strengthening the ecosystem. Additionally, the growing availability of remote work opportunities worldwide ensures that Pakistani talent can access global markets without leaving the country.
If the sector maintains its current momentum, Pakistan could soon cross the $4 billion to $5 billion annual export mark—an achievement that would significantly boost the national economy.
The record-breaking performance of Pakistani IT exports in October 2025 is a testament to the sector’s resilience, innovation, and global competitiveness. With supportive policies, stable currency conditions, and expanding global outreach, Pakistan’s IT industry is on a strong growth path. As companies continue to scale and international demand rises, the digital economy is set to become one of the nation’s most influential drivers of growth and stability.
