PM Sets $30 Billion IT Export Goal, Demands Strategic Roadmap

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has set an ambitious target for Pakistan’s IT sector: a staggering $30 billion in annual IT exports. To achieve this, he has directed the Ministry of Information Technology to present a comprehensive roadmap. This plan isn’t just about future goals; it needs to detail the previous year’s performance, which stood at a robust $3.8 billion, along with specific annual targets and concrete measures to scale up to the new multi-billion dollar aim.

During a recent meeting in Islamabad, where he reviewed initiatives by the NITB and the IT Ministry, the Prime Minister emphasized the critical role of technology in national development. He called for a complete reorganization of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), stressing the need to attract top market talent and fortify the digital ecosystem to meet global benchmarks. The Prime Minister highlighted how the IT sector is a powerful engine for job creation, particularly for youth and women, and lauded the significant savings achieved through the implementation of e-office systems across government departments.

The meeting also shed light on the impressive strides made by the sector. IT exports witnessed a healthy 19 percent growth in the fiscal year 2025, while the number of freelancers surged by an impressive 91 percent. Furthermore, the ministry successfully facilitated investment agreements worth $700 million, signaling strong investor confidence.

Beyond exports, the ministry’s initiatives have a broad societal impact. It has supported 386 startups, established 40 e-employment centers in 26 cities, and provided vital IT vocational training to approximately 315,000 students, including 115,000 women. Empowering women in tech is a key focus, evidenced by the launch of 130 women-led startups. Additionally, 2,200 federal officials received training, and 3,000 students were upskilled in critical cybersecurity areas.

Significant progress has also been made in digitizing governance. The “Pak-App” facilitated the collection of Rs. 6.2 billion in taxes. E-office systems are now implemented in a remarkable 98% of federal offices, and 51 new governance systems have been rolled out to streamline public services. The telecom sector has also seen a boom, with 4G access extended to over 580,000 new users, pushing total telecom connections past the 200 million mark, and internet usage increasing by 24 percent.

The NITB continues to be at the forefront of digital transformation, actively developing over 179 websites, 31 mobile applications, 113 portals, and handling 57 consultancy projects. Its restructuring efforts are strategically focused on enhancing infrastructure, improving governance, optimizing service delivery, bolstering cybersecurity, and fostering innovation – all crucial steps towards realizing Pakistan’s ambitious $30 billion IT export vision.