Pakistan Services Exports Rise 29% To $1.81bn In 2MFY27: SBP.
✧ GENERATE BRIEFING +
Pakistan’s services exports surged by 29% year-on-year during the first two months of fiscal year 2026–27 (2MFY27), reaching $1.811 billion compared to $1.405 billion in the same period last year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The $406 million absolute increase in services exports notably outpaced the $217 million growth recorded in merchandise goods exports, which totaled $5.455 billion.The information technology and freelance sector anchored this growth, generating approximately $952 million—nearly half of the total services intake. Industry leaders, including former P@SHA chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan and Pakistan Freelancers Association chairman Ibrahim Amin, emphasized that targeted policy consistency and smoother digital infrastructure could further elevate monthly IT inflows toward the $450 million threshold. Additional contributors included other business services, government services ($122 million), recreational and cultural services ($18.5 million), and financial services ($13 million).
Pakistan’s services exports increased by $406 million, or around 29% year-on-year, to $1.811 billion during the first two months of FY2026-27, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Services exports stood at $1.405 billion in July-August FY2025-26. The increase of $406 million during the current fiscal year was significantly higher than the $217 million rise in goods exports, which reached $5.455 billion from $5.238 billion a year earlier.
The information technology sector and freelancers remained the largest contributors, generating around $952 million during the two-month period. The figure highlights the growing role of Pakistan’s digital services industry in generating foreign exchange.
Other business services also contributed significantly. These include research and development, professional and management consulting, legal and accounting services, public relations and advertising, market research, technical and trade-related services, and architectural, engineering and scientific services.
Government services, including consular and military services, generated approximately $122 million during July-August. Recreational and cultural services contributed around $18.5 million, while financial services generated about $13 million.
Former Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan said the IT sector has further potential to increase exports and support Pakistan’s external account. He said consistent policies and stronger collaboration could help raise monthly IT export inflows from around $420 million to $450 million.
Pakistan’s broader digital economy has already become an increasingly important source of export earnings. The Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26 reported that IT services exports grew 19.8% to $3.4 billion in FY2026, accounting for 46.1% of total services exports.
Pakistan Freelancers Association chairman Ibrahim Amin also highlighted the growing contribution of freelancers to foreign exchange earnings. He estimated that around three million freelancers are active across freelancing platforms and social media, although awareness of available government incentives remains limited.
The latest figures indicate that services, particularly IT, freelancing and business services, are becoming an increasingly important component of Pakistan’s export base. Further growth will depend on policy consistency, digital infrastructure, access to international markets and the ability of businesses and freelancers to receive export earnings through formal channels.
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