Pakistan services exports rose 22.60 per cent year on year in the first quarter of 2026-27, largely driven by higher earnings from information technology. The proceeds reached $2.72 billion in July-September, up from $2.22 billion over the corresponding period last year.
The sector has maintained uninterrupted growth since the start of FY27, according to official data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
In September, services exports grew 15.35 per cent to $929.87 million from $806.14 million in the same month last year. The increase was led by telecommunication, computer and information services, which have remained the main contributors since the beginning of the fiscal year.
Pakistan services exports: IT leads the growth
According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, exports of telecommunications, computer and information services reached $1.246 billion in the first quarter of FY27, against $1.059 billion over the corresponding months of last year. That is growth of 17.7 per cent.
The export of telecommunications, computer and information services stood at $435 million in September, as against $368 million over the corresponding month last year, showing an increase of 18.21 per cent. September’s figure was the second-highest monthly inflow on record, and it marked a nine-month high for IT exports.
Exports of other business services grew 27.98 per cent to $622 million in the first quarter of FY27, up from $486 million in the corresponding months last year. Exports of transport services increased by 9.66 per cent to $295 million, up from $269 million over the same period.
Pakistan’s services exports rose by 18.81 per cent to $10.04 billion in FY26, up from $8.45 billion in the previous fiscal year.
Imports rise too
At the same time, services imports surged 16.32 per cent to $3.55 billion in the first quarter of FY27 from $3.05 billion in the same period last year. In September, services imports grew 26.38 per cent to $1.21 billion from $959.53 million in the same month last year.
In FY26, imports of services rose 5.67 per cent to $11.93 billion from $11.29 billion in the previous fiscal year. The largest share in the import of services during the first quarter of FY27 was attributed to the transport sector, followed by travel services.
The services trade deficit declined by 0.33 per cent to $832.16 million in the first quarter of FY27, compared with $834.88 million in the corresponding months last year. But the deficit widened by 84 per cent to $282.76 million in September on a year-on-year basis, as imports jumped faster than exports in that month.
Freelancers add $549 million
The headline figures do not capture the full picture. Freelancers earned $549 million in foreign exchange during the same quarter, up 45 per cent from $377.29 million in the corresponding period last year, according to State Bank data. Freelancers offering IT-related services generated export receipts of $333 million during July-September 2026, compared with $272 million in the same period last year, a rise of around 22 per cent. Freelancers providing non-IT services earned $215 million, up from $104 million, an increase of 106 per cent.
IT services and freelancers together accounted for more than 45 per cent of total services exports in the quarter. Their combined receipts reached around $1.246 billion, up roughly $187 million, or 17 per cent, year on year.
The government has set a target of $10 billion in annual IT exports by FY29 under its Uraan Pakistan national economic plan. On a trailing 12-month basis, IT exports reached $4.8 billion, up 20 per cent from $4 billion a year earlier. Reaching the target would need growth of about 27.8 per cent a year, which shows how far the sector still has to go.
The strong quarter sits alongside a buoyant stock market. The Pakistan Stock Exchange staged its strongest weekly rally in six months. Small exporters still face a trade finance gap, and a Pakistani startup won an award at a Silicon Valley summit this week. For freelancers, invoicing and payment tools have become part of the export story too.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Pakistan’s services exports grow?
Services exports rose 22.60 per cent to $2.72 billion in July-September 2026, up from $2.22 billion a year earlier.
What drove the growth?
Information technology led the way. Exports of telecommunications, computer and information services reached $1.246 billion in the quarter, up 17.7 per cent year on year.
How did freelancers perform?
Freelancers earned $549 million in the quarter, up 45 per cent from $377.29 million a year earlier. IT-related freelancing brought in $333 million, while non-IT freelancing earned $215 million.
What is the services trade deficit?
The deficit narrowed slightly to $832.16 million in the quarter, from $834.88 million a year earlier. But it widened sharply in September alone, to $282.76 million, as imports jumped 26.38 per cent.
