KARACHI, November 18, 2025 – Pakistan’s information technology (IT) exports soared to an all-time high of $386 million in October 2025, marking a 17% year-on-year (YoY) and 5% month-on-month (MoM) increase, according to official data released on Monday.
The figure exceeded the 12-month average of $332 million and represented the fifth consecutive month of YoY growth since June 2025.
This performance pushed IT exports for the first four months of FY26 to $1.4 billion, reflecting a robust 20% YoY growth. Export proceeds per day in October were recorded at $16.78 million, up from $16.64 million in September.
Industry experts attribute the growth to Pakistani IT companies expanding their global client base, particularly in the GCC region. Additionally, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) decision to raise the permissible retention limit in Exporters’ Specialised Foreign Currency Accounts from 35% to 50% has encouraged exporters to repatriate higher profits. The allowance of equity investment abroad through these accounts and relative stability in the Pakistani rupee also contributed to the growth.
A survey by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) revealed that 62% of IT companies maintain specialised foreign currency accounts. Sania Irfan of Topline Research noted, “SBP’s Equity Investment Abroad (EIA) initiative, allowing IT exporters to acquire stakes in foreign entities using up to 50% of proceeds from specialised accounts, continues to boost confidence in remitting profits back to Pakistan.”
Net IT exports (exports minus imports) reached $335 million in October, up 12% YoY and 2% MoM, surpassing the 12-month average of $292 million. The government has set an IT export target of $5 billion for FY26, while Topline Research forecasts an 18-20% growth, expecting exports to reach approximately $4.5 billion.