Pakistan IT exports grow 20% YoY to hit $2.2 billion in first half of FY26

Pakistan’s information technology exports rose to $2.2 billion during the first half of FY26, recording a 20% increase from the same period last year, according to data compiled by Topline Pakistan Research.

The growth was supported by a record monthly performance in December 2025, when IT exports reached an all-time high of $437 million, up 26% year-on-year and 23% month-on-month. The December figure exceeded the 12-month average of $341 million, reflecting a seasonal year-end rise in export activity.

Average daily export proceeds increased to $19.9 million in December, compared with $17.8 million in November, taking momentum into the second half of the fiscal year.

Topline said the year-on-year increase was driven by expansion of IT firms’ global client base, particularly in Gulf markets, alongside regulatory measures introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan. These included raising the retention limit in Exporters’ Specialized Foreign Currency Accounts to 50%, allowing equity investment abroad through these accounts, and exchange rate stability encouraging higher profit repatriation.

A survey by the Pakistan Software Houses Association showed that 62% of IT companies are now maintaining specialised foreign currency accounts.

Net IT exports stood at $377 million in December, marking a 70% increase year-on-year and a 22% rise from November, and remaining above the 12-month average of $298 million.

For FY26, the government has set an IT export target of $5 billion. Topline expects exports to reach around $4.5 billion during the year, compared with $3.8 billion in FY25.