Pakistan’s Information Technology (IT) exports climbed to a historic $386 million in October 2025, marking a 17% year-on-year and 5% month-on-month increase, according to official figures. The performance stands well above the 12-month average of $332 million and marks the fifth consecutive month of annual growth, reflecting rising global demand and Pakistan’s expanding international client base.

Economists and analysts believe this impressive momentum is closely linked to China’s expanding role in Pakistan’s digital transformation, especially under CPEC Phase II, which prioritizes technology, connectivity, human-resource development, and innovation partnerships, Gwadar pro reported on Wednesday.

As Pakistan works to deepen its presence in software development, global outsourcing, and cloud-based services, Chinese support has emerged as a central pillar. New digital infrastructure, enhanced connectivity, and strengthened talent pipelines created through Sino-Pak cooperation are increasingly viewed as key drivers of export growth.

Chinese tech leaders, including Huawei and ZTE, have played a fundamental role in shaping Pakistan’s next-generation IT workforce. Through AI training labs, cloud-computing programs, and long-standing university collaborations, they have trained thousands of young Pakistani professionals in advanced digital skills that are in growing global demand.

Talking to Gwadar Pro, Sohail Sarwar, a Pakistani IT specialist who worked with Chinese technology companies in Shanghai and Beijing for several years, said these initiatives are helping Pakistan overcome a long-standing skills deficit. “Our workforce is increasingly entering fields like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud services—areas where Chinese companies have consistently supported training and capacity building,” he said.

Sarwar added that China’s digital contribution extends far beyond training. “China’s involvement is not limited to hardware projects. The new fiber-optic corridor, cloud-computing initiatives, and data-center development have given Pakistani IT firms the bandwidth, speed, and reliability they need to compete internationally.”

He highlighted the 820-kilometre CPEC fiber-optic cable from Khunjerab to Rawalpindi as a major breakthrough, improving data quality and significantly reducing latency—critical for software exports and global outsourcing operations.

A major contributor to this transformation is China Mobile Pakistan (CMPAK–Zong), now one of the country’s most active digital enablers. Zain ul Abdin, Senior Executive at CMPAK, said the company continues to support Pakistan’s IT growth by nurturing local talent and developing advanced digital infrastructure.

Zong’s nationwide graduate program annually recruits top students from major universities, providing hands-on training, mentorship, and exposure to state-of-the-art technologies. The company is also building high-standard data centers and encouraging Pakistani firms to develop cloud solutions, digital tools, and hardware innovations. According to Abdin, these efforts are helping local companies improve product quality, strengthen competitiveness, and secure more international clients.

“This ecosystem-building approach is enabling Pakistan’s IT exports to expand steadily,” he noted. Government officials point to recently signed Sino-Pak MoUs on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity frameworks, 5G deployment, and digital-economy cooperation. These agreements form part of the 2025–2029 Pakistan-China Innovation Corridor, designed to attract more Chinese investment into software parks, data-industry zones, and joint R&D centers.

A senior Ministry of IT official said these steps will “accelerate Pakistan’s transition from basic outsourcing to high-value digital exports.” Industry analysts share this view. “Chinese-backed cloud platforms and cybersecurity frameworks are enhancing Pakistan’s credibility with international clients,” said tech market researcher Omar Khan. “This is improving contract volumes, service quality, and overall client confidence.”

Economists broadly agree that China’s strategic digital cooperation has been a major factor behind Pakistan’s record export performance. With stronger talent pipelines, improved connectivity, and expanding bilateral technology initiatives, Pakistan’s IT sector is well positioned to sustain its upward trajectory as the country aims to cross $5 billion in annual IT exports in the coming years.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China