Muhammad Saleem

Pakistan’s IT exports require strategic improvements to create jobs and enhance foreign exchange earnings.

Rizwan Ali, who runs a software house, told WealthPK that while Pakistan’s IT exports are growing, the pace is not fast enough to generate employment or earn the much-needed foreign exchange. He said the IT industry is unique in that it contributes to national earnings without facing the challenges of physical goods. “Unlike textiles or agriculture, the IT sector does not need to worry about raw materials, shipping, or spoilage,” he explained.

“IT exports must be given special attention to help stabilize Pakistan’s currency and improve the balance of payments,” he emphasized. He added that the sector holds immense potential to create thousands of jobs for young graduates if managed properly. “But right now, we’re not reaching our full potential,” he remarked. Ali said multiple digital skills and services are emerging globally with every passing day, and Pakistan has a large pool of talented youth.

However, he stressed that the country must train its young population in modern skills rather than confining them to traditional education. “By equipping them with digital expertise, we could significantly enhance IT exports, which are crucial for Pakistan’s economy,” he explained. Highlighting the issues holding Pakistan back, Ali said that skill gaps remain the primary challenge. “Many graduates know the theory but lack hands-on expertise in the tools international clients require,” he pointed out.

He said trust deficits also affect the IT industry, as international clients sometimes hesitate to work with Pakistan due to political instability or negative news coverage about unrest. Ali further noted that payment hurdles are severely affecting IT exporters. “Freelancers and companies often face delays in receiving payments from abroad due to banking restrictions and complex regulations. To avoid such delays, some firms and freelancers are even forced to pay third parties to process their payments into Pakistan,” he explained.

Muhammad Abid, serving as a search engine optimization expert for a US-based company, told WealthPK that Pakistan has the talent but needs “strategy, skill, and trust” to turn IT exports into a genuine engine for job creation and foreign exchange. He said IT exports offer a tremendous opportunity to create jobs and bring in dollars at a time when Pakistan urgently needs both. But despite global growth in the IT industry, he noted, Pakistan faces significant skill mismatches. “Our institutions are still focusing primarily on coding, MS Office, and basic designing.

While many young people can write simple code, global clients now demand specialized skills such as artificial intelligence, digital marketing, cloud computing, mobile app development, and cybersecurity,” Abid explained. He emphasized that technical skills alone are insufficient to succeed in the international market. “Alongside coding, designing, or digital expertise, professionals must also demonstrate soft skills such as effective communication, active listening, and professional client handling,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of punctuality in meetings and project deliveries. “Without developing these habits, clients are unlikely to return, and Pakistan will lose valuable opportunities,” he warned. Rizwan Ali concluded that Pakistan needs strategic policies, including export marketing campaigns, participation in global tech expos, and strong trade agreements for digital services. “If we train people but don’t connect them with paying clients, our efforts will be wasted,” he remarked.

Credit: INP-WealthPk