ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Ministry of Information Technology to prepare a detailed action plan aimed at surpassing \$30 billion in annual IT exports in the coming years.
Chairing a review meeting on the initiatives of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) and the IT Ministry, the premier praised last year’s performance, noting that the sector achieved \$3.8 billion in exports, exceeding its target. He said the government is committed to driving economic growth through digitisation in line with global standards.
Shehbaz Sharif called for a complete overhaul of NITB, recruitment of top market talent, and the creation of a full digital ecosystem to meet ambitious export goals. He lauded initiatives like the Digital Youth Hub, which has provided thousands of young people—especially women—with the skills and opportunities to secure respectable jobs and compete internationally.
The prime minister noted that the adoption of e-Office had enabled paperless governance, saving time and resources.
IT Sector Growth & Achievements
During the briefing, officials reported a 19% rise in IT exports in FY 2025, while Pakistan’s freelancer community grew by 91%. Under the National Incubation Center, 386 startups were supported, 14 reached the global stage, and 40 e-employment centres were launched in 26 cities. Four Pakistani teams ranked in the global top 50 at Black Hat MEA, and agreements worth \$700 million were signed.
Around 315,000 students—including 115,000 women—received professional IT training. The program also supported 130 women-led startups, launched women-focused training centres nationwide, and provided training to 2,200 federal government staff and 3,000 students in cybersecurity.
Digital Governance & Telecom Expansion
The meeting was told that the Pak-App platform generated Rs 6.2 billion in tax revenue, while e-Office was implemented in 98% of federal offices. Fifty-one new systems were introduced to improve governance.
In the telecom sector, 4G services were extended to over 580,000 people, connections surpassed 200 million, and internet usage grew by 24% with one million new users last year.
NITB Restructuring
Work is nearing completion on a modern, user-focused IT system. NITB is currently managing over 179 websites, 31 mobile apps, 113 portals, and 57 consultancy projects. The restructuring plan focuses on enhancing infrastructure, cybersecurity, governance, research, innovation, and workforce capacity.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM’s Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi, and senior officials.
For the latest news, follow us on Facebook DAILY HAYAT - Mirpur A.J.K
