IT sector drives steady growth in export earnings

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s services exports increased by 18.38 per cent during the first eight months of the current fiscal year, supported primarily by strong performance in the information technology sector, according to official data.

Figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed that services exports rose to $6.46 billion in July–February FY26, compared to $5.46 billion in the corresponding period last year.

The growth was largely driven by telecommunications, computer, and information services, which continued to remain the key contributors throughout the fiscal year. In rupee terms, services exports reached Rs1.818 trillion in 8MFY26, up 19.66pc from Rs1.519 trillion a year earlier, indicating sustained upward momentum.

In February alone, services exports stood at $812.25 million, marking a 16.89pc increase from $694.90 million in the same month last year. However, on a month-on-month basis, exports declined by 7.3pc.

Data further showed that services exports have maintained an overall positive trajectory since February 2024, mainly due to rising IT exports and other business services, although a brief contraction of 6.50pc was recorded in August 2024.

According to State Bank of Pakistan data, exports of telecommunications, computer, and information services reached $2.97 billion during July–February FY26, compared to $2.48 billion in the same period last year, reflecting a growth of 19.75pc.