Pakistan IT exports jump 19% to $1.8bn in Jul-Nov

Pakistan’s IT exports maintain healthy growth with a double-digit growth of 19% year-on-year (YoY) during the first five months (July-November) of the current financial year 2025-26 as compared to the same period the previous year.

IT exports in 5MFY26 stood at $1.8 billion, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The growth in information technology exports come in line with IT export companies growing client base globally, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region; relaxation in the permissible retention limit by the SBP, increasing it from 35% to 50% in the Exporters’ Specialised Foreign Currency Accounts; allowance of equity investment abroad through these foreign currency accounts; and stability in Pakistan rupee against the US dollar encouraging IT exporters to bring higher portion of profits back to Pakistan.

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Former chairman of Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Muhammad Zohaib Khan said the continuation of the policy and the aggressive role of the ministry and association of IT companies continued to generate positive results for IT exports by each passing month, reflecting the steady growth in the IT exports.

He maintained that the growth in IT exports was the key component in stabilising the current account deficit of the country. “Hence, the government should continue to support IT industry with supportive policies.”

In the month of November, IT exports stood at $356 million, up by 14% YoY but down 8% month-on-month (MoM). The monthly IT exports in November were higher than the last 12-month average of $337 million.

Saad Shah, an IT exporter, said the government, along with IT companies, had continued its “aggressive strategy” to explore new markets, including the GCC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regions, which reflected the positive development for IT industry on a long-term basis.

He pointed out that that IT exports could have been increase additionally if issues of internet were resolved on time because internet disruption and its slow speed hurt the productivity of IT companies.

According to a P@SHA survey, 62% of IT companies are maintaining specialised foreign currency accounts. SBP’s introduction of Equity Investment Abroad (EIA), allowing IT exporters to acquire interest in entities abroad using up to 50% proceeds from specialised foreign currency accounts is expected to continue helping boost confidence of IT exporters to remit proceeds back to Pakistan.

Chairman Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Ibrahim Amin said the freelancers were playing a key role in the growth of IT exports in line with an increasing trend of freelancing in the country and worldwide.

He pointed out that a number of institutions were providing training to talented youth in Pakistan, resulting increased freelancers with more contribution to freelancing platforms.

It is estimated that IT industry is likely to cross a mark of $4 billion by the end of the current financial year. In the financial year 2024-25, Pakistan’s IT exports hit a record high of $3.8 billion, driven by innovation and quality service delivery.