Pakistan has set a target to increase its ICT exports to $25.1 billion by 2030. The target includes $15.3 billion from IT and IT-enabled services and $9.8 billion from telecommunications. Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja shared the target in a written reply to the National Assembly. She said the govern ment is taking steps to strengthen the sector and expand Pakistan’s presence in global technology markets.
Pakistan’s ICT export remittances reached $4.6 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, a 20.6% increase from $3.814 billion in fiscal year 2024-25. ICT exports have continued to grow in recent years. They rose from $2.108 billion in fiscal year 2020-21 to $2.619 billion in fiscal year 2021-22 before declining slightly to $2.596 billion in fiscal year 2022-23.
Exports then increased significantly, reaching $3.223 billion in fiscal year 2023-24 and $3.812 billion in fiscal year 2024-25 before reaching $4.6 billion in the latest fiscal year. The government said ICT is the strongest part of Pakistan’s services sector and generates the country’s largest trade surplus within the sector.
To help exporters and freelancers, the Pakistan Software Export Board is working with banks and the State Bank of Pakistan to make foreign payments and currency transactions easier. Banks have also established dedicated desks and specialized branches for IT exporters. The State Bank has updated the Proceed Realization Certificate process and expanded the Digital Service Providers List.
The government has introduced a one-working-day limit for processing export receipts and outward remittances from Exporters’ Special Foreign Currency Accounts. IT companies and freelancers also face fewer paperwork requirements for individual export transactions.
The threshold for Form “R” has been increased to transactions above $25,000. The government has also standardized the documents required for outward remittances to simplify the process. As part of its tax measures, the government has extended the 0.25% Final Tax Regime for IT exports through tax year 2029.
It has also reduced the advance tax on foreign card payments from 5% to 0.5%. Venture capital funds have also regained tax pass-through treatment. The government will continue the Section 65F technology tax credit to encourage investment and provide further support to technology startups.
PSEB has opened new offices in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Its 24/7 MARKAZ help desk provides assistance with registration, visa facilitation and foreign remittance issues.
To achieve the $25.1 billion target, the government plans to invest in technology skills and workforce development. The program will include specialized training, international certifications, boot camps and apprenticeships.
The government also plans to expand IT parks, software technology parks and special technology zones. Digital innovation facilities will also be developed as part of the expansion.
International marketing will also receive greater attention. Plans include trade delegations, B2B matchmaking and investor outreach aimed at attracting more global business to Pakistan’s technology sector.
