Pakistan’s call center exports reached a record $392 million during the financial year 2025-26, marking a 19% increase from the $329 million earned in the previous year. The latest figures highlight the growing importance of the business process outsourcing industry and show how artificial intelligence (AI) is helping Pakistani companies expand their services in international markets.
Record Growth in Export Earnings
According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan, the sector generated $392 million in export receipts during FY2025-26, an increase of $63 million compared with FY2024-25.
The figure represents the highest-ever annual export earnings recorded by Pakistan’s call center industry. The growth also comes as businesses worldwide increasingly rely on remote customer support, technical assistance, sales operations and other outsourced services.
The rise in call center exports indicates that Pakistani companies are strengthening their position in the global outsourcing market. With a large English-speaking workforce and relatively competitive operating costs, Pakistan has continued to attract international businesses looking to outsource customer service and business support functions.
AI Expands Industry Capacity
One of the major factors behind the recent growth is the increasing use of artificial intelligence.
Adeel Azhar, President of the Call Centers Association of Pakistan, said AI adoption has increased the capacity of call centers and business process outsourcing companies to serve international clients.
AI-powered systems can help businesses automate repetitive tasks, analyze customer interactions, improve response times and support employees handling large volumes of inquiries. Instead of completely replacing human workers, these technologies can allow companies to handle more customers and provide additional services with existing resources.
For Pakistani businesses, this technological shift could create opportunities to compete for clients that previously required larger outsourcing operations.
Growing International Markets
The United States remains the biggest market for Pakistan’s call center and business process outsourcing services. According to industry estimates, the US accounts for nearly 70% of the sector’s business.
Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia are also important destinations for Pakistani outsourcing services.
However, companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional markets. Industry representatives say Pakistani operators are entering Middle Eastern and European markets, partly because AI-based tools and improved digital systems are allowing them to offer a wider range of services.
This expansion could provide further momentum for call center exports in the coming years, particularly if Pakistani companies can build long-term relationships with international clients.
A Large and Growing Workforce
The call center industry has also become an important source of employment in Pakistan.
More than 1,000 call centers are registered with the Pakistan Software Export Board, while another 500 sizeable centers operate across different cities.
Around 90% of these registered and sizeable operations reportedly provide services to foreign clients. The remaining businesses serve multinational companies and domestic organizations, including utility providers.
The industry is not limited to traditional call centers. Smaller operations are also integrated into software houses, digital marketing agencies and e-commerce companies. Together, these businesses employ more than one million people, according to industry estimates.
This broad employment base makes the sector particularly important for young Pakistanis seeking opportunities in customer support, sales, technology and digital services.
Opportunities for IT-Enabled Exports
The record performance of call center exports also fits into Pakistan’s wider effort to increase foreign exchange earnings from technology and IT-enabled services.
Unlike traditional goods exports, digital services can be delivered to customers abroad without physically transporting products. This provides Pakistani companies with an opportunity to earn foreign currency while operating from within the country.
AI could further strengthen this advantage by helping businesses improve productivity and develop specialized services for overseas customers.
Industry expectations suggest that export earnings could continue rising if companies invest in technology, employee training, cybersecurity and international marketing.
Reputation Remains a Challenge
Despite the industry’s growth, the sector faces challenges. Some call centers have previously been linked to alleged scams and fraudulent activities, creating reputational concerns for legitimate businesses.
Government ministries and law enforcement agencies have increased action against operations involved in fraudulent activities. Such enforcement is important for protecting Pakistan’s international reputation and ensuring that legitimate outsourcing companies are not affected by the actions of illegal operators.
For sustained growth, the industry will need to maintain strong compliance standards, protect customer information and follow international business practices.
Outlook for Pakistan’s Call Center Industry
The record $392 million in call center exports demonstrates the sector’s growing contribution to Pakistan’s digital economy. The combination of AI adoption, a large workforce, competitive costs and access to international markets has created favorable conditions for further expansion.
If Pakistani companies successfully move into higher-value services rather than relying only on basic customer support, the industry could generate even greater foreign exchange earnings.
The latest figures therefore represent more than a single annual record. They point to the potential of Pakistan’s outsourcing sector to become a stronger contributor to IT-enabled exports, employment and the country’s broader digital economy.
