Pakistan’s technology sector continued to play an important role in economic activity during FY26, with the State Bank of Pakistan highlighting strong Information and Communication Technology (ICT) exports in its August 2026 Monetary Policy Report. The report noted that the information and communications sector helped lift overall services growth, while robust ICT exports also contributed to limiting pressure on Pakistan’s external account. ICT and high-value-added textile exports helped offset a sharp decline in food exports, with goods and services exports recording marginal growth during FY26.
The report also points to technology as an increasingly important contributor to Pakistan’s broader economic outlook. Strong ICT exports supported foreign exchange conditions during FY26, alongside record-high workers’ remittances and lower LNG imports. SBP reported that these factors helped keep the current account deficit at $0.14 billion, or 0.03% of GDP, while the country’s foreign exchange reserves reached $18.4 billion by the end of June 2026.
On the global front, the report highlights the growing economic impact of Artificial Intelligence, with the IMF expecting the surge in AI-related investment to partially offset the negative effects of higher energy prices on global growth. The outlook suggests that technology investment is becoming an increasingly relevant factor in determining future economic activity, particularly as businesses and economies continue to adopt AI-driven solutions.
For Pakistan, the continued performance of ICT exports provides an important digital-economy growth opportunity. The report’s assessment shows that technology-related services are already contributing to exports, services-sector activity and foreign exchange earnings. With FY27 growth projected at 3.5–4.5%, continued expansion of ICT exports and technology-driven services could remain an important part of Pakistan’s broader economic recovery and diversification.
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