Pakistan Has $30 Billion IT Export Potential, Says JI Islamabad Ameer
ISLAMABAD, June 4, 2026 – The Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Islamabad, Nasrullah Randhawa, has urged the federal government to introduce special measures for IT graduates in the upcoming budget, stating that Pakistan possesses the capacity to generate $30 billion in IT exports annually.
Addressing a special session titled “Budget, Economy, and Energy: From Crisis to Solution” with anchors, economic reporters, and media representatives, Randhawa emphasized that Pakistan produces thousands of IT graduates every year, while millions of young people are already excelling in freelancing and software development.
“Pakistani youth have command over the English language, possess world-class technical skills, and can provide services at competitive rates in the international market. These factors are sufficient to make Pakistan a major IT hub in the region,” he said.
‘India at $200B, Malaysia at Dozens of Billions – Pakistan at Only $4B’
The JI Islamabad chief pointed out that economies worldwide are rapidly moving toward digitalization. “India has raised its IT and IT-enabled services exports to over $200 billion, while Malaysia is also earning tens of billions of dollars annually through its digital economy and technology services,” he noted.
In contrast, he lamented, Pakistan’s IT exports stand at only around $4 billion, despite having all the necessary resources: skilled youth, IT graduates, an English-proficient workforce, and low-cost developers capable of meeting global market demands.
$20-30 Billion Export Target Achievable with Right Policies
Randhawa asserted that if the government announces special incentives and investment for the IT sector, startups, and digital infrastructure in the new budget, Pakistan can multiply its IT exports several times over within a few years, reaching $20 to $30 billion.
“This will not only earn valuable foreign exchange but also create new employment opportunities for millions of young people,” he said.
Specific Demands for Budget 2026-27
The JI Islamabad Ameer put forward the following demands for the upcoming budget:
- Ensure availability of high-speed broadband internet across the country
- Establish a special fund for IT startups
- Provide interest-free or easy-term loans to young entrepreneurs
- Announce tax incentives for IT companies
He also proposed that unused buildings of PWD, Pakistan Post, and other government departments be converted into IT parks, software houses, and incubation centers to provide low-cost modern workspaces and business facilities to youth.
‘Make Youth Job Creators, Not Job Seekers’
“Instead of keeping youth waiting for government jobs, it is the need of the hour to make them job creators,” Randhawa concluded.
The session was also addressed by IT experts Shahid Naeem, Asim Riaz, and Advocate Uzair Nishtar, who spoke in detail about the challenges and opportunities facing the IT sector. JI Islamabad Information Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Tarabi, Head of Social Media Salman Sheikh, and economist Qant Khalil were also present.
