“IT Exports Likely to Reach $22 billion”, Says Minister

Information Technology (IT) exports have surged in first seven months of the current fiscal year by 37% in Pakistan as compared with the corresponding period of the previous one. IT software and other related services exports have seen a rise to $1.1 billion as stay-at-home orders accelerated the digital economy amid pandemic.

While talking to News360, Federal Minister of IT and Telecommunication Amin Ul Haque claimed that IT exports are expected to reach $22 billion by the end of current fiscal year.

“The estimate was issued after a detailed meeting with the officials of Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and Pakistan Software Houses Association (PASHA)”, he added.

Amid pandemic, online services have strengthened the outreach of Pakistani digital service providers.

“With the advent of various smart phone applications, local IT professionals have gained prominence in the global market”, the minister said.

Amin Ul Haque maintained that Pakistan has been providing IT services at much cheaper rates as compared to India, Philippines, and Vietnam with international quality standards.

“Most of the United States (US) and European companies are giving preference to youngsters providing digital service in Pakistan”, the lawmaker said.

While in discussion over the plans initiated by incumbent government, Amin Ul Haque informed News360 that high-yielding measures are in the pipeline to promote IT and to nuture economy.

In this regard, it has been decided to reduce the advance income tax on mobile users from 12.5 % to 10%, while in the next budget, it will be further reduced to 8%”, the minister claimed.

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“In a relief to the telecommunications sector, a tax of Rs 250 per mobile sim was abolished and the fixed tax on telecom companies was reduced by 4%”, he added.

To upgrade IT infrastructure in the country, the government has launched 32 new projects with a whooping sum of Rs 22 billion that will focus to overcome weak signals problems in remote areas.

In Sindh, various areas receive weak or no signals and the government is trying to address all complaints, said the IT minister.

Similarly, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, around 350 mobile towers have been upgraded from 2G and 3G to 4G.

Whereas, the government expects the number of cell phone users in the country to exceed 210 million by 2025. As of February 2021, the number of mobile phone users in Pakistan was recorded at more than 170 million.