ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s services exports rose 17.05 per cent during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, driven largely by higher earnings from the information technology sector, according to official data.

The steady expansion in services exp­orts contrasts with mixed trends in merchandise trade, driven mainly by sus­­­­ta­­ined growth in the IT sector. The government projects IT exports to reach betwe­­en $4.5bn and $4.6bn by end of the FY26.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a meeting on information technology to review measures aimed at boosting services exports.

Data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed that services exports increased to $7.34bn in July-March FY26 from $6.27bn in the same period last year.

PM seeks provincial support to boost internet access in rural areas

On a monthly basis, exports grew by 18.27pc in July, 8.41pc in August, 14.85pc in September, 17.61pc in October, 22.26pc in November, 15.94pc in December, 31.12pc in January, 16.89pc in February, and 16.17pc in March, reflecting sustained momentum throughout the period.

During the meeting, the prime minister was informed that the number of domestic internet connections had increased from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.1m in 2026. He was further informed that the recent 5G spectrum auction had generated $509m in revenue.

Mr Sharif said promoting the IT sector and increasing IT-related exports remained among the government’s top priorities. He added that cooperation from provincial and district administrations should be sought to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas. Pakistan’s youth possessed immense potential in the IT sector that must be “fully utilised,” he remarked.

In March alone, services exports stood at $902.91m, up from $777.22m a year earlier, marking an increase of 16.17pc. On a month-on-month basis, exports rose 12.83pc. In FY25, Pakistan’s services ex­­­p­­orts rose 9.23pc to $8.39bn from $7.68bn a year earlier.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2026