Pakistan is on the fast track to transform its information technology (IT) infrastructure, driven by ambitious government initiatives and international collaborations. A recent meeting between Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu, has set the stage for enhanced bilateral cooperation, particularly focusing on fields such as 5G technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
During this pivotal discussion, both representatives emphasized the urgency of fostering collaboration in digital transformation and e-governance. Underlining the success of Türkiye’s digital framework, Ambassador Neziroglu pointed out the substantial impact of the e-governance system which serves 67 million citizens through 8,000 digital services. This serves as an impressive benchmark for Pakistan as it seeks to modernize its own IT services.
Minister Khawaja reiterated the Pakistan Software Export Board's (PSEB) commitment to strengthening international partnerships, particularly with Türkiye, where mutual benefits can be found through joint initiatives. “It is imperative for Pakistan to engage with Türkiye and explore B2B opportunities alongside innovations in digital technologies,” stated Khawaja.
While the government reviews future collaborations, it has already made progress within its own borders, having set up 43 Software Technology Parks (STPs) across the country. These parks play host to over 350 IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) companies and accommodate around 18,000 professionals within 1.9 million square feet of space. According to Parliamentary Secretary for IT and Telecommunication, Sabheen Ghoury, these parks currently contribute $100 million to foreign exchange earnings and $15 million to domestic revenue annually.
Two upcoming flagship IT Parks are also on the horizon—one located in Karachi and another in Islamabad. The Karachi IT Park, projected to be operational by 2027, will cover 1.12 million square feet and is expected to create approximately 13,400 jobs. It aims to boost the nation’s IT exports by $90 million. Meanwhile, the Islamabad IT Park, which will occupy 720,000 square feet and is set for completion by 2025, will provide 7,500 job opportunities and generate another $70 million for exports.
Recognizing the importance of women participation, Ghoury noted, “Women currently make up 20% of the workforce within these parks, and we are initiating the first Women Technology Park in Bagh, AJK, set to become operational by FY 2024-25.” This emphasis on inclusivity is reflected across various government initiatives aimed at empowering diverse sectors of the population within the tech ecosystem.
The drive to cultivate digital skills is made evident by plans to establish approximately 250 e-Rozgaar centers nationwide, fostering around 25,000 freelancers and expected to generate $18-20 million by 2027. Ghoury highlighted the significance of these centers, explaining they will aid young professionals by providing comprehensive IT training and resources.
Pakistan's progress is also reflected in its ICT remittances, showing a 32.7% increase within the first five months of the fiscal year 2024-25, amounting to $1.53 billion compared to $1.15 billion during the same period last year. This boost culminated in November 2024 with exports reaching $324 million, marking an impressive year-on-year growth of 25%. The IT and ITeS sector has demonstrated versatility by achieving a trade surplus reached at $1.35 billion, showcasing the industry’s resilience.
Additional advancements mentioned by Ghoury include significant upgrades to Pakistan’s telecom sector, which now features improved international connectivity and extensive fiber optic networks. It was reported the activated capacity on international submarine cables has reached 9.281 Tbps, yet the government is actively working to expand this capacity to fully support the anticipated arrival of 5G.
Ongoing investments are also aimed at establishing new submarine cables to bolster both connectivity and network resilience. With efforts underway to address Right of Way (RoW) issues, the laying of optical fiber cables has surged to 135,506 km, which will enable enhanced broadband reliability for communities throughout the nation.
Despite facing occasional disruptions and slow internet services, primarily due to factors like VPN overuse and infrastructure challenges, the government of Pakistan remains steadfast. Ghoury stated, “We are committed to uninterrupted internet services for the IT industry to spur digital exports and global collaboration.” Recent events, like the damage inflicted on the PTCL submarine cable near Qatar, are reminders of the challenges faced, but the restoration of services reinstates the commitment to connectivity.
Finally, Ghoury assured the government is also undertaking regulatory reviews concerning Starlink's operations within Pakistan, which demonstrates efforts to embrace new technologies and facilitate growth within the IT sector. With the aim to register VPNs and improve data routing for industry growth, the overarching goal remains to expand Pakistan’s ICT infrastructure significantly.
The road ahead appears promising for Pakistan's IT ecosystem, and with sustained efforts, it may well become a hub for digital innovation and technological advancement regionally and beyond.