by On August 8, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of Information Technology and the National Information Technology Board (NITB) to develop a comprehensive roadmap. This strategy will set phased annual targets and define specific actions to elevate Pakistan’s IT exports from $3.8 billion in FY 2025 to a staggering $30 billion in the coming years.
Beyond Targets: Building the Digital Ecosystem
The PM highlighted the launch of a digital ecosystem—including infrastructure upgrades and e-governance—which is central to achieving this target. In the meeting, several initiatives were spotlighted:
- Restructuring NITB and recruiting top-tier talent
- Empowering youth—with a focus on women—through platforms like the Digital Youth Hub
- Expanding paperless governance via e-Office, saving resources and time
Progressive Momentum: From $3.8 B to $30 B
In FY 2025, IT exports grew by 19%, enabling the sector to surpass its $3.8 billion target. Additional highlights include:
- A 91% surge in freelancer numbers
- Support for 386 startups, 14 of which went global
- Establishment of 40 e-employment centers
- Professional training of 315,000 students (115,000 women included)
- Establishing 130 women-led startups and rolling out cybersecurity and governance training across government offices
Strategic Alignment with Broader Economic Goals
This roadmap aligns with the broader “Uraan Pakistan” five-year transformation plan (2024–29), which prioritizes export-led growth and digital transformation as key pillars of national economic progress. Earlier in 2024–2025, the PM had set a goal of reaching $25 billion in IT exports within five years, underscoring the long-term vision behind these efforts.
Why It Matters
| Factor | Why It’s Critical |
|---|---|
| Economic Diversification | Amplifying IT exports helps reduce reliance on traditional sectors like textiles. |
| Youth Empowerment | Digital training and freelancing opportunities can absorb the growing youth workforce, especially women. |
| Digital Governance & Efficiency | E-Office and digital systems foster transparency and facilitate seamless service delivery. |
| Global Competitiveness | Building talent and infrastructure bolsters Pakistan’s position in global IT markets. |
In Summary
The Prime Minister’s directive isn’t just about setting ambitious numbers—it’s a strategic roadmap to transform Pakistan’s digital economy. Through institutional reform, capacity building, and cohesive vision, the nation is laying the groundwork for sustainable IT export-led growth.
