Digital Pakistan Soars as ICT Exports Hit $2.8B Milestone

Pakistan’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector achieved a landmark feat in FY 2025, with exports surging 23.7% to a record US $2.825 billion, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey compiled by Ahmed Ahmadani. This surge, driven by some 30,000 registered IT and ITeS firms under the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), helped deliver an impressive US $2.429 billion trade surplus in the services sector.

Freelancers also delivered their own value, making up around US $400 million remittances. The government’s programme DigiSkills.pk has complemented this talent pool. With over 4.55 million trainees, the platform has empowered freelancers to bank US $1.65 billion.

On the telecom front, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reports that nearly 200 million subscribers now benefit from 4G coverage at 96.2% of cell sites, with mobile reaching 91% of the population and broadband penetration climbing to 59.8%. A competitive data price of just US $0.10 per GB reinforces Pakistan’s position as one of the most affordable digital markets globally.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s rise to Tier‑1 “Role Modeling” status in the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index, along with the National Space Policy approved in December 2023, underscores a pragmatic shift toward next-generation connectivity and nationwide 5G rollout. This dynamic digital ecosystem is clearly powering Pakistan’s economic and technological renaissance.