ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan recorded its highest-ever monthly information technology (IT) exports at $437 million in December 2025, marking a 26 per cent increase compared to the same month last year.

During the first half (July-December) of 2025-26, IT exports reached $2.2 billion, posting a growth of 20pc over the corresponding period of the previous year.

According to a report compiled by Topline Research, the year-on-year growth in December was driven by an expansion in the global client base of Pakistani IT exporters, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

The report noted that the State Bank of Pakistan’s relaxation of the permissible retention limit in Exporters’ Specialised Foreign Currency Accounts from 35pc to 50pc has enhanced confidence among IT companies, prompting them to repatriate earnings rather than park funds abroad.

Another contributing factor was the government’s decision to allow equity investment abroad through specialised foreign currency accounts.

“The SBP’s introduction of Equity Investment Abroad (EIA), allowing IT exporters to acquire interest in entities abroad using up to 50pc of proceeds from specialised foreign currency accounts, will continue to boost confidence of IT exporters to remit proceeds back to Pakistan,” said Sania Irfan of Topline Research.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) said that around 62pc of IT companies maintained specialised foreign currency accounts.

The government has set a target of $5bn in IT exports for 2025-26, and analysts remain optimistic that the goal will be achieved.

Under the ‘Uraan Pakistan’ national economic plan, the government has also set a target of $10bn in IT exports by 2028-29.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2026