Pakistan is well-positioned to take advantage of the strong global growth in the demand for information technology services. Driven by its entrepreneurial spirit, it has built a legacy by delivering high-quality services and generating high-income employment.

Software services has a confirmed economic potential due to its capacity to stimulate innovation and create spill over effects for the modernization of Pakistan’s exports. The sector has the potential to develop new services and boost the development of the digital economy in the country.

Information technology (software) infrastructure and services are progressing rapidly in Pakistan. In 2021, IT Industry growth surpassed all traditional sectors with year-on-year IT exports increased by 47%. To $2.1 billion, contributing to 4.8% of the GDP in the country.

A dynamic software services industry will contribute to bringing other na­tional industries to the next level of sophistication through digitalisation, produce pipeline SMEs in the IT sector and create Pakistani champions. It will increase intellectual property valuation and high-technology product engineer­ing, which will strengthen Pakistan’s reputation overall and anchor other IT-related sectors.

The strategy suggests skills for new industries for diversification such as data analytics,  database administration, cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, cybertech, embedded finance, agtech, oil & gas. Untapped opportunities lie in further penetration of fast-growing markets, United States, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia-Pacific.

The software industry strategy envisions Pakistan:

‘To be the leading export sector in the country, and make Pakistan a preferred destination for global IT products and services and the preferred profession for youth’

The Strategy emphasizes the following strategic and operational objective