ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to draw up a roadmap to gradually raise Pakistan’s information technology (IT) exports to $30 billion, urging concrete annual targets and reforms to accelerate digital growth.
IT is a priority sector for Pakistan, which has been seeking new markets, particularly in the Gulf region, for tech firms and startups, and looking to attract greater foreign investment.
The sector generated $3.8 billion in export revenue during the last fiscal year, marking a 19 percent year-on-year increase, according to the IT ministry.
“A complete digital ecosystem and infrastructure is being introduced to take Pakistan’s IT exports to $30 billion,” the prime minister said at a meeting in Islamabad, according to a statement from his office. “We are taking priority measures to align the economy with modern requirements through digitization.”
Sharif praised the growth in freelancing, women’s participation and professional training under federal IT programs, noting the establishment of e-employment centers, digital youth hubs and expanded 4G access across the country.
He also ordered the restructuring of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), including the recruitment of top-tier professionals from the market, and called for timely completion of all IT initiatives.
During the meeting, officials said that over 315,000 students had received IT training in the past year, including 115,000 women, while 386 startups were supported under the National Incubation Center, and nearly $700 million in investment agreements and MoUs were signed.
Pakistan also saw a 91 percent increase in the number of freelancers.
