The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has set a new target of $5.2 billion in IT exports for the upcoming fiscal year, signaling a renewed push to scale Pakistan’s digital economy. This was disclosed during a recent briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan. The ministry’s officials stated that Pakistan is projected to close the current fiscal year with $3.8 billion in IT export earnings, assuming stable internet connectivity and continued budgetary support. The projected figure reflects a moderate increase from last year and shows potential for accelerated growth, provided key issues affecting the industry are addressed.
During the committee session, officials emphasized that consistent and uninterrupted internet access is crucial to achieving these targets. They admitted that internet shutdowns during the year had some negative impact on the IT industry, although the disruption was not deemed severe enough to derail overall performance. Nonetheless, ministry representatives stressed that future growth in exports will largely depend on avoiding such outages and maintaining reliable digital infrastructure.
The committee’s agenda focused on the persistent challenges that continue to hinder Pakistan’s IT sector, including policy inconsistencies, service interruptions, and institutional inefficiencies. Members raised concerns about the ministry’s strategic planning and questioned whether the sector was being given adequate priority within the national development framework. Discussions also touched upon the need for transparent and timely disbursement of funds allocated to IT initiatives and infrastructure expansion.
Officials from the ministry acknowledged these concerns and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving coordination between relevant stakeholders. They noted that achieving the $5.2 billion export target will also depend on better cross-departmental collaboration, industry support mechanisms, and investment in upskilling the workforce. The role of Special Technology Zones, tax facilitation, and the digital payment ecosystem were also mentioned as critical areas that require sustained policy attention to boost overall sectoral growth.
In response to inquiries from committee members, ministry officials highlighted that recent structural improvements and expanded outreach to international clients had contributed to stronger export figures this year. They said that if current momentum is maintained and digital operations are allowed to function without disruptions, the next fiscal year could see significant gains for Pakistan’s IT services sector.
The committee underlined the urgency of safeguarding digital infrastructure, enhancing internet resilience, and revisiting sectoral policies to support export-led growth. Members emphasized that frequent disruptions and uncertainty around digital policy discourage international clients and hamper long-term contracts. As the government charts the path forward, aligning IT policy with the export roadmap will remain a critical concern for stakeholders seeking sustainable growth in Pakistan’s digital services industry.
