Pakistan's IT and IT-enabled services exports crossed $400 million in a single month for the first time in February 2026, reaching $412 million. This puts the sector on an annualized run rate exceeding $4 billion — a remarkable achievement for an industry that exported less than $2.5 billion just two years ago.
Growth Drivers
- AI and machine learning services: Pakistani companies winning major outsourcing contracts
- Freelancing: Pakistan now ranks #4 globally on Upwork with 200,000+ active freelancers
- SaaS companies: Home-grown startups like Airlift (logistics), Bazaar (B2B), and Bykea expanding regionally
- Government support: Special technology zone incentives attracting multinational R&D centers
Career Opportunities
The booming IT sector is creating thousands of high-paying jobs. Software engineers in Lahore and Karachi now command starting salaries of Rs. 150,000-250,000/month. The PSEB estimates that 50,000 new IT jobs will be created in 2026 as companies scale their teams to meet global demand.