Pakistan’s Services Exports Rise 22.6% to $2.72 Billion in First Quarter, Led by IT Earnings

Pakistan’s exports of services grew 22.6 per cent to $2.72 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, official data showed on 8 November 2026, with earnings from information technology leading the increase.

What happened?
Pakistan’s services exports reached $2.72 billion in July-September 2026-27, up from $2.22 billion in the same three months last year, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and reported by Dawn. Telecommunications, computer and information services remained the main driver, earning $1.246 billion in the quarter, 17.7 per cent more than a year earlier.

Key details

• Services exports rose 22.6 per cent year on year to $2.72 billion in July-September 2026-27, from $2.22 billion a year earlier.
• In September alone, services exports grew 15.35 per cent to $929.87 million, from $806.14 million in September 2025.
• Exports of telecommunications, computer and information services reached $1.246 billion in the quarter, up 17.7 per cent from $1.059 billion; September receipts were $435 million, up 18.21 per cent.
• Other business services exports grew 27.98 per cent to $622 million, and transport services exports rose 9.66 per cent to $295 million.
• Services imports increased 16.32 per cent to $3.55 billion in the quarter, so the services trade deficit was almost unchanged at $832.16 million, down 0.33 per cent. In September, however, the monthly deficit widened 84 per cent to $282.76 million as imports surged.
• For the full previous fiscal year, services exports rose 18.81 per cent to $10.04 billion.

What it means for people in Pakistan
Services exports, above all IT and freelance work, are becoming one of Pakistan’s most reliable sources of foreign exchange, because they grow without needing imported raw materials. Continued growth in this sector supports the external account and creates higher-value jobs for young professionals. The sharp rise in September services imports is worth watching, as it narrowed the benefit of the export growth in that month.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2042900/it-earnings-drive-226pc-growth-in-services-exports