ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s services exports grew by 17.68 per cent during the first 10 months of 2025-26, largely driven by higher earnings from the information technology sector, according to official data.
The steady expansion in services exports since the start of FY26 contrasts with mixed trends in goods exports.
Government projections indicate that information technology alone is expected to generate between $4.5 billion and $4.6bn in export earnings by the end of June, reinforcing its role as a key driver of external sector performance.
Data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed that services exports increased to $8.27bn in July-April FY26, from $7.03bn a year ago.
Internet connections jump to 5.1m
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, 16.17pc in March and 21.71pc in April.
The number of domestic internet connections increased from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.1m in 2026. This number was expected to increase in the wake of the recent 5G spectrum auction, which had generated $509m in revenue.
In April alone, services exports stood at $914.98m, up from $751.75m a year earlier, marking a 21.71pc increase. However, on a month-on-month basis, exports increased by a paltry 0.30pc.
In FY25, Pakistan’s export of services grew 9.23pc to $8.39bn from $7.68bn in FY24.
According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan, exports of telecommunications, computer, and information services soared 21.14pc to $3.811bn in July-April FY26 from $3.146bn in the corresponding months of last year.
The export of other business services rose 25.41pc to $1.762bn in 10MFY26 from $1.405bn a year ago. However, export of transport services fell 6.88pc to $798m from $857m.
However, the export of travel services surged 39.52pc to $872m in 10MFY26 from $625m.
At the same time, the import of services rose by 8.56pc to $10.310bn in 10MFY26 as against $9.497bn over the corresponding months of last year.
In April, service imports contracted 2.82pc to $888.92m, down from $914.74m in the same month last year.
The largest share of service imports during the first 10 months of FY26 was attributed to the transport sector, with its value rising to $4.206bn from $3.945bn in the corresponding period last year, reflecting growth of 6.62pc.
The second-highest share came from travel services, which surged to $2.665bn during the months under review, compared to $2.082bn in the same period of the previous year — marking a significant increase of 28pc.
The trade deficit in services decelerated by 17.38pc to $2.04bn in 10MFY26, down from $2.47bn in the corresponding period last year.
Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026