When opportunity knocks, it does not always come in the form of open borders. For Systems Ltd — Pakistan’s largest and most successful IT exporter — the gate to profitability in 2024 did not swing open on new foreign markets or a tech breakthrough. It swung closed — on Pakistani professionals trying to leave the country.
In a corporate briefing held on April 10, Systems Ltd talked about a counterintuitive edge it has gained in a global economy plagued by slowdowns and restrictions: Pakistanis’ restricted access to foreign work visas. While this development has left thousands of skilled professionals frustrated and grounded, for Systems, it has created a captive pool of tech talent — available, affordable, and increasingly necessary for scaling its global delivery operations.
The company’s message to investors was understated, but the subtext was clear. At a time when many Pakistanis can no longer leave the country to find work abroad, Systems Ltd has positioned itself as the best — and in some cases only — local alternative. In a country where “getting out” has long been synonymous with success, Systems is now betting that “staying in” can be just as lucrative. The content in this publication is expensive to produce. But unlike other journalistic outfits, business publications have to cover the very organizations that directly give them advertisements. Hence, this large source of revenue, which is the lifeblood of other media houses, is severely compromised on account of Profit’s no-compromise policy when it comes to our reporting. No wonder, Profit has lost multiple ad deals, worth tens of millions of rupees, due to stories that held big businesses to account. Hence, for our work to continue unfettered, it must be supported by discerning readers who know the value of quality business journalism, not just for the economy but for the society as a whole.To read the full article, subscribe and support independent business journalism in Pakistan
