Report by Engineering Post
Information Technology (IT) quite appreciatively represented one of the most rapidly expanding sectors within Pakistan’s economy and was playing a pivotal role in the evolution of a knowledge based society.
A Joint Working Group (JWG) has also been established between China and Pakistan for fostering collaboration in this sector under the overall framework of the great game changer China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which has since entered its second phase. Both the countries have committed to continue cooperation in several critical areas including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) , Infrastructure Development , ICT Application Innovation, Cybersecurity Policy and Regulation, Radio Spectrum Regulation, Human Resource Development, and the Technology Business Forum.
During the first three quarters of last financial year 2024-25, export of ICT services had experienced a significant increase of US $ 541 million representing a growth of 23.7 percent, culminating in a total of US $ 2.825 billion. The Information Technology (IT) and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) industry achieved a trade surplus amounting to US $ 2.4 billion during July-March FY2025 representing an increase of 21.6 percent.
Furthermore, Pakistan-based freelancers also contributed significantly to the national economy by earning precious foreign exchange through remittances totaling US $ 400 million during the specified period.
In order to further bolster the ICT sector, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has launched an ambitious initiative for establishing 250 e-Rozgar centres across the country by FY 2027, as part of a Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) project titled ” Prime Minister’s Initiatives- Support for IT Startups, Specialized IT Training, and Venture Capital, Component-2″. These centres will promote freelance work and entrepreneurship , aiming to create 20000 jobs. Fifty e-Rozgar centres were expected to be operational during FY 2025.
The National Incubation Centres (NICs) have successfully incubated over 1000 startups, with more than 960 graduating from the programme. These startups have generated in excess of 185000, attracted total investment of Rs 30.8 billion , and reported combined revenues exceeding Rs 27.3 billion.
Additionally, the initiative has also empowered over 12000 women entrepreneurs.
As per data now available, during July-March FY 2025, the telecommunication sector had been further strengthened by broadening its service offerings and generating revenues of Rs 803 billion. By the end of March 2025, total telecom subscriptions , encompassing mobile and fixed services, reached around 109.9 million, resulting in a total teledensity of 81.3 percent in the country.
The telecom sector had also contributed substantially to the national exchequer, Rs 271 billion in taxes and duties during the same fiscal period.
Quite obviously , a sustained emphasis on skills development, investment facilitation, and international collaboration was essential for unlocking new avenues for growth, job creation, and inclusive socio-economic advancement.
