Pakistan's information and communications technology exports surged by 21% to a record USD4.6 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, with freelancers alone contributing USD1.1647 billion, as the government seeks to turn stronger digital infrastructure and technology training into further export growth. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the increase while chairing a meeting on the IT sector roadmap on Thursday. He called for renewed efforts to improve digital infrastructure and raise the quality of technology training across the country. IT Minister Shaza Fatima said ICT exports reached the record USD4.6 billion during FY26, which ended in June, representing a 21% increase from the previous fiscal year.

The prime minister attributed the rise to government efforts aimed at accelerating digital transformation. He reiterated that strengthening the technology industry and expanding IT-driven exports remained priorities. Sharif called for a competitive environment focused on innovation, while directing authorities to expand digital infrastructure further. Training quality emerged as another focus of the meeting. The prime minister ordered third-party validation of all IT training programmes to ensure that they meet international standards.

Officials said 942,646 IT training certificates had been issued. They also reported the completion of 5,053 high-end training programmes and 2,700 leadership and soft-skills sessions. The scale of training reflects the emphasis being placed on building the skills required for the technology sector, though the prime minister's instruction for independent validation indicates that the quality of such programmes will also face scrutiny. Freelancers have become a substantial component of Pakistan's technology exports. According to the briefing, they generated USD1.1647 billion during the last fiscal year. Digital infrastructure has expanded alongside export earnings. Officials said available mobile spectrum increased from 274 MHz in June 2025 to 880 MHz by June 2026, a more than threefold rise intended to improve connectivity and internet speeds.

Smartphone penetration reached 72%, while fixed broadband and fibre-optic connections extended to 5.1 million households by June 2026. The meeting was also briefed on preparations for 'Connect Pakistan Vision 2030', as well as the completion of the Software Technology Park in Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Digitalisation has extended into public administration. Officials said 130 government services had been digitised under the Digital Nation Pakistan initiative. Artificial intelligence is another part of the technology agenda. The government said AI solutions being developed under a memorandum of understanding with Alibaba were being introduced across federal ministries and public institutions.

According to the briefing, Alibaba is collaborating on AI initiatives with a range of public-sector organisations. These include the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Ministry of Railways, State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and Ministry of National Food Security.

Other participating organisations include the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, Pakistan Single Window, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Pakistan Post, Capital Development Authority, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Higher Education Commission. Officials also said the Women Innovation and Startup Empowerment Lab project would be inaugurated soon, with the aim of increasing women's participation in the technology and startup ecosystem. The combination of export earnings, freelancing, connectivity and training figures provides the measure of Pakistan's expanding digital sector presented at the meeting.

The most striking figure remains the USD4.6 billion earned from ICT exports in FY26. The 21% annual increase was accompanied by more than USD1.16 billion in freelance earnings and a sharp expansion in available mobile spectrum. The government is now seeking to build on that performance through wider connectivity, independently validated training and the introduction of artificial intelligence across public institutions.

The meeting was attended by Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, State Minister for Finance Bilal Kayani, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad and senior officials from relevant ministries and departments. For Pakistan's technology sector, the figures establish a new export benchmark. The next test is contained in the prime minister's own directives: whether expanded infrastructure and nearly one million training certificates can be matched by internationally benchmarked skills and sustained growth in technology exports.