pakistan8217s exports hit
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Pakistan’s IT exports hit record $4.6 billio…

ByJustpaste.in

KARACHI: Pakistan’s information technology (IT) sector achieved a historic milestone in the fiscal year 2025-26, with IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports reaching a record $4.6 billion, marking an impressive 21 percent increase from the previous year’s $3.81 billion. Although the sector narrowly missed the government’s $5 billion export target, the achievement reinforces Pakistan’s position as one of the country’s fastest-growing export industries and strengthens its long-term goal of reaching $10 billion in IT exports by FY2028-29.

Industry experts believe the strong performance reflects the steady expansion of Pakistan’s digital economy, driven by a growing pool of skilled professionals, rising demand for remote services, improved internet infrastructure and favourable tax incentives. However, they also caution that the sector must overcome structural challenges and shift towards innovation-led growth to sustain momentum.

Pakistan is home to more than 600,000 IT professionals and freelancers, alongside tens of thousands of registered software and IT-enabled services companies operating from major technology hubs in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Secondary cities such as Faisalabad, Sialkot and Sukkur are also emerging as important contributors to the country’s digital workforce.

Software development, business process outsourcing (BPO), enterprise technology services, call centres and freelancing remain the backbone of Pakistan’s IT exports. Meanwhile, demand for advanced services including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, cloud computing, automation and digital consulting is expanding rapidly as global businesses seek specialised technology solutions.

The United States continues to be Pakistan’s largest export destination for IT services, followed by the United Kingdom, the Gulf region, Europe, Canada and several Asian markets. Experts say significant opportunities remain untapped in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Africa and Central Asia, particularly in high-value technology sectors.

Industry leaders stress that Pakistan must diversify both its export markets and service offerings. They argue that relying mainly on traditional software development and low-cost outsourcing will limit future growth, while greater investment in AI-powered solutions, enterprise software, cybersecurity and digital transformation services can significantly increase export earnings.

Freelancers have also emerged as a major force in Pakistan’s digital economy, contributing an estimated $1.1 billion, or roughly a quarter of total IT exports, during FY2025-26. Online platforms have enabled thousands of professionals to access global clients, creating new employment opportunities and boosting foreign exchange inflows.

Beyond export revenues, the sector continues to generate employment, with thousands of technical positions available across the country. The expansion of remote work has also increased opportunities for women and professionals living outside major urban centres.

Experts believe the next phase of growth depends on moving beyond providing outsourced services to creating globally competitive technology products and intellectual property. They argue that Pakistan must position itself as a producer of innovation rather than simply a destination for low-cost software development.

The country’s AI ambitions are also gaining momentum. Under the National AI Policy 2025, Pakistan plans to establish AI centres of excellence, launch dedicated funding programmes, expand public-sector AI adoption and train around one million people in AI-related skills by 2030. New AI hubs are also being developed to support startups and accelerate innovation.

International partnerships are expected to play a key role in this transformation. Pakistan has strengthened technology cooperation with China through joint AI and IT initiatives and recently became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO). At the same time, interest from the United States has grown, with American investors pledging more than $20 million for Pakistan’s technology sector during a recent investment conference.

Connectivity has also improved through expanded submarine cable capacity, cross-border fibre links and stronger cloud infrastructure, making it easier for local companies to deliver digital services worldwide.

Despite the progress, industry stakeholders warn that policy uncertainty, foreign exchange restrictions, internet disruptions, energy costs, weak intellectual property protection and limited access to global payment systems continue to hinder faster growth. They believe addressing these challenges while promoting innovation and AI-driven technologies will be essential if Pakistan hopes to transform its record-breaking IT industry into a global technology powerhouse.

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    Renowned Pakistani poet, painter, professor and actor Shahnawaz Zaidi recently appeared as a guest on Good Morning Pakistan, where he spoke openly about his personal life, his first marriage, the loss of his wife and his decision to marry again. Zaidi, who began his teaching career at Punjab University and later served as a professor in Nairobi, has made significant contributions to literature, education and the arts. He has also been honored with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. He is the brother of renowned actor Sheheryar Zaidi and has appeared in several popular dramas, including Nashtar, Pamaal, Case No. 9 and Khushboo Mein Basay Khat. During the show, Zaidi reflected on his first marriage, describing it as a love marriage that lasted 37 years. He revealed that he had hoped to celebrate his golden jubilee with his wife but sadly, that dream could not come true. Speaking about how their relationship began, Zaidi said he was only 24 when he got married. He described himself as a poetic person who fell in love instantly and saw no reason to delay the marriage. However, the relationship faced opposition from both families because of differences involving sect, language and family backgrounds. According to Zaidi, his wife’s father had already chosen another man for her and was initially unwilling to reconsider his decision. Although Zaidi’s family was relatively modern, they too had reservations about his choice. Eventually, however, they accepted his decision. Zaidi also recalled that his wife had once called him in tears and told him that she was diabetic and that he should carefully consider marrying her. Her mother also suffered from diabetes. Despite the concerns, the couple went ahead with their marriage and eventually built a family together. The couple had six children, although Zaidi revealed that the first two pregnancies ended in abortion. Later, he received a job opportunity in Nairobi, and the couple moved there. He described their eight years in Nairobi as a blessing, explaining that the pleasant weather, excellent healthcare facilities and quality medical care his wife received made the experience particularly meaningful. Zaidi said his wife spent considerable time in hospitals during her pregnancies, but she received excellent care. He viewed their relocation to Nairobi as a blessing in disguise because all of their children were eventually born there. The veteran artist also spoke candidly about the difficult period following his wife’s death. He revealed that he had never planned to marry again and used to dismiss the idea of a second marriage. However, four years after his first wife passed away, he began experiencing a profound sense of detachment from life. He admitted that although he continued working and remained involved in various activities, he felt mentally lost and was falling apart emotionally. During this challenging period, he eventually began considering the possibility of remarriage. Zaidi said there was initially no one in his life, but he later met an Iranian woman who was considerably younger than him. Although he initially tried to avoid the idea of marriage, their relationship developed naturally and they eventually fell in love. He revealed that they have now been married for 10 years. Looking back, Zaidi said his second marriage was something he had never expected, but life ultimately took him in a direction he had not planned. His candid conversation offered viewers a deeply personal look into his experiences with love, marriage, loss, family and finding companionship again later in life.

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    Government sets Rs1.676 trillion petroleum levy target for FY27

    ByJustpaste.in

    The federal government has set an ambitious target of Rs1.676 trillion in petroleum levy (PL) collections for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27), with the revenue plan based on an average levy of Rs80 per litre on petrol and High Speed Diesel (HSD). Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik disclosed the details in a written response submitted to the National Assembly, explaining that the government is gradually restoring the petroleum levy in accordance with the revenue target approved under the federal budget. The levy has been adjusted several times since the beginning of the fiscal year as the government attempted to balance revenue requirements with the impact of fluctuations in international oil prices. According to the minister, the government had reduced the levy during a period of volatility in global oil markets to provide some relief to consumers. However, as part of its fiscal strategy and commitments to international financial institutions, the levy is now being increased in phases. Petroleum Levy Revised Multiple Times The petroleum levy structure underwent a series of changes during July and August. On July 1, the levy stood at Rs66.64 per litre on petrol and Rs79.54 per litre on HSD. A day later, on July 2, the rates were revised downward to Rs64.14 on petrol and Rs77.04 on HSD. The rates were subsequently changed again on July 4, when the levy on petrol was raised to Rs70.36 per litre, while the HSD levy was set at Rs70.82 per litre. The levy on petrol eventually reached the government’s budgeted benchmark of Rs80 per litre on July 11. The adjustment on HSD took place more gradually. The levy was increased in stages during August and reached Rs78.28 per litre on August 14. By August 20, the government had raised the levy to Rs80 per litre on both petrol and HSD, bringing both products in line with the budget assumption. As a result, the petroleum levy on petrol increased by Rs13.36 per litre between July 1 and August 20. Revenue Target Linked to Fiscal Commitments Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Malik said the petroleum levy collection target forms part of the government’s approved federal budget and is connected with broader fiscal commitments made with international financial institutions. The minister clarified that the Petroleum Division had not conducted a separate assessment of the impact of the levy on individual categories of consumers. The government is relying on petroleum levy receipts as an important source of non-tax revenue as it works to meet its overall fiscal targets for the financial year. The levy is particularly significant for the government’s revenue strategy because changes in the rate directly affect the amount collected from petroleum products sold in the domestic market. Relief Depends on Fiscal Space When asked whether the government could reduce the petroleum levy to provide relief to consumers, the minister said any decision would depend on several factors, including the government’s available fiscal space, revenue requirements, commitments to international financial institutions and movements in global oil prices. Malik also maintained that the government attempts to pass on the benefit of lower international petroleum prices to domestic consumers whenever fiscal conditions allow. This means that any substantial reduction in the petroleum levy or domestic fuel prices in the coming months is likely to depend on a combination of global oil market trends and the government’s budgetary position. The government’s decision to restore the levy to Rs80 per litre comes as authorities seek to strengthen revenue collection while simultaneously managing fuel prices and their impact on inflation and household budgets. For consumers, the levy remains a key component of the final retail price of petroleum products. Any increase or decrease in the levy can therefore influence the price paid at fuel stations, although the final price also depends on international oil prices, exchange-rate movements and other applicable taxes and charges. With the FY27 petroleum levy target set at Rs1.676 trillion, the government is expected to closely monitor both international energy prices and domestic revenue performance as it seeks to meet its fiscal commitments without placing additional pressure on consumers.

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    NCCIA Punjab arrests 4 in cybercrime crackdown

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