Pakistan’s IT and IT-enabled services exports increased 17 percent year-on-year during the first two months of Fiscal Year 2025-26, despite a decline in monthly receipts in August.

According to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data, IT export receipts fell to $394 million in August from $417 million in July, marking a 5.5 percent monthly decline.

Industry stakeholders described the August drop as potentially temporary and said monthly export receipts could remain around $400 million to $450 million.

Overall IT and IT-enabled services export receipts reached $811 million during July-August, compared with $691 million in the corresponding period last year.

Muhammad Zohaib Khan, former chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), said Pakistan needs to focus on areas where its IT industry can compete in higher-value segments.

He identified cybersecurity, artificial intelligence automation and enterprise solutions as areas with export potential across international markets.

Khan also pointed to shortages in skilled professionals, payment-related difficulties and limited access to international markets as key challenges for the sector.

He called for continued efforts by the government and IT exporters to promote Pakistani services abroad and enter new markets to sustain export growth.