Pakistan IT Exports Set to Hit $4.6bn as Internet Access Surges
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed in Islamabad on Monday that Pakistan’s information technology exports are expected to climb to around $4.5 billion to $4.6 billion during the current fiscal year. The update came during a high-level review meeting on the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, placing the country’s digital economy at the centre of the day’s national policy agenda.
Officials informed the premier that Pakistan’s domestic internet connections had expanded sharply, rising from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.1 million in 2026. The figures were presented as evidence that digital access is growing beyond major urban centres, although gaps in rural connectivity remain a major challenge for policymakers.
The meeting was also told that Pakistan’s recent 5G spectrum auction generated $509 million in revenue. Authorities described the auction as a key step in modernising the telecom sector, improving network capacity and preparing businesses, startups and public services for faster digital adoption.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the promotion of the IT sector and growth in technology exports were among the government’s highest priorities. He said Pakistan’s youth had significant potential in the digital field and stressed that this talent must be converted into skills, jobs, startups and export earnings.
The premier directed officials to speed up work on Asaan Khidmat Centres in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He also called for coordination with provincial governments so similar facilities could be introduced across the country, making public services easier to access through digital platforms.
Officials further briefed the meeting on artificial intelligence initiatives, including Indus AI Week, which was organised in February 2025 across 30 cities. The event reportedly brought together more than 100 international delegates and featured 88 pavilions, reflecting Pakistan’s attempt to build a stronger presence in emerging technologies.
The briefing also highlighted public-sector connectivity projects in Islamabad. Fibre internet has been provided to government schools and health units in the capital, while work on free internet hotspots is said to be in its final stages. E-learning pods are also being installed in Saidpur Model Village and Fatima Jinnah Park.
The broader context is Pakistan’s search for new export engines as the country faces pressure on foreign exchange reserves, employment and productivity. Technology exports offer a route that requires less physical infrastructure than traditional industries, but sustained growth depends on stable internet services, skilled graduates, investment incentives and global client confidence.
For Pakistan’s economy, the projected rise in IT exports could help diversify earnings and create opportunities for young professionals, freelancers and software companies. However, experts say the country must address digital inequality, regulatory uncertainty and recurring connectivity concerns if it wants to compete more strongly with regional technology markets.
The next phase will depend on how quickly the government turns these announcements into delivery. Officials are expected to push forward with digital service centres, connectivity expansion, AI promotion and telecom reforms, while the private sector will watch whether policy stability and infrastructure improvements can support long-term export growth.