Islamabad: Pakistan’s IT exports have surged to $2.18 billion in the first seven months of fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), marking a 27% year-over-year (YoY) increase, according to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
This growth trend has remained consistent for 16 consecutive months, starting from October 2023, highlighting the sector’s resilience and expansion in the global market.
In January 2025, Pakistan’s IT exports stood at $313 million, reflecting an 18% YoY growth despite a 10% decline compared to December 2024. However, January’s performance remained strong, surpassing the 12-month average of $303 million.
Analysts attribute the rise in IT exports to several key factors:
Expansion of IT companies’ client bases, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Relaxation of SBP’s permissible retention limit, increasing from 35% to 50% in Exporters’ Specialized Foreign Currency Accounts.
New equity investment policy, allowing IT exporters to invest up to 50% of their proceeds in foreign entities.
Stable Pakistani Rupee (PKR), encouraging exporters to repatriate higher earnings.
Government Initiatives & Future Outlook
The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) reported that 62% of IT companies are now maintaining specialized foreign currency accounts, reflecting the sector’s growing financial confidence.
The government’s ‘Uraan Pakistan’ economic plan has set an ambitious $10 billion IT export target by FY29, requiring an annual growth rate of 28%.
Market analysts expect the IT sector to grow by 10-15% in FY25, with total exports projected to reach $3.5 to $3.7 billion by year-end. Leading companies such as Systems Limited (SYS) continue to drive the sector’s expansion, positioning Pakistan’s IT industry for sustained growth in the global market.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
