Government says Pakistan’s IT exports hit record monthly high in December

In this photograph, taken on March 8, 2024, people work at their stations at the Systems Limited, one of Pakistan’s largest software export companies, in Karachi. (AN Photo/File)
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Updated 20 January 2026
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Government says Pakistan’s IT exports hit record monthly high in December

  • Finance adviser says IT exports crossed $400 million for first time in a month
  • Pakistan aims to double exports to $60 billion in four years, with IT a key driver

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s information technology exports climbed to a record $437 million in December, crossing the $400 million mark for the first time on a monthly basis, the government’s finance adviser Khurram Schehzad said in a social media post on Monday.

The surge underscores the growing role of the tech sector as Pakistan seeks to boost exports while emerging from a prolonged economic crisis that drained foreign exchange reserves, widened balance-of-payments pressures and weakened the currency.

The government is now aiming for export-led growth as part of broader structural reforms under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan program.

“December 2025 exports reached $437 million — crossing $400 million in a month for the first time ever,” Schehzad said in a post on X, adding that this represented 23 percent month-on-month growth from November and 26 percent year-on-year growth compared with December 2024.

For the first half of the current fiscal year, IT exports reached $2.24 billion, up 20 percent from a year earlier, making the sector the largest and most consistent contributor within services exports, he said.

Pakistan has been under pressure to sharply lift exports as it works to stabilize its economy.

Earlier this month, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the country must double its exports to $60 billion within four years or risk returning to the IMF.

Pakistan’s IT exports have been on a steady upward trajectory in recent years. They reached a record $3.8 billion in the 2024–25 financial year, according to official data.

The momentum has carried into the current fiscal year, with IT exports posting 19 percent year-on-year growth during the first five months from July to November.

Exports during the period stood at $1.8 billion, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan.

The government has said it sees the technology sector as a key driver of foreign exchange earnings and job creation as Pakistan seeks to lock in recent macroeconomic gains and attract new investment.
 


China condemns Islamabad suicide blast, pledges support for Pakistan

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China condemns Islamabad suicide blast, pledges support for Pakistan

  • Suicide blast targeting imambargah in Pakistan’s capital this week killed at least 32, injured 150
  • Chinese foreign ministry says Beijing supports Pakistan in safeguarding its national security, people

ISLAMABAD: China’s foreign ministry spokesperson on Sunday condemned the Islamabad suicide bombing this week that killed 32 people and injured several others, expressing support for Pakistan in safeguarding its national security and protecting its people. 

Officials confirmed at least 32 people were killed and 150 injured on Friday when a suicide blast targeted the Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque and imambargah in the Tarlai Kallan area located on Islamabad’s outskirts. 

The blast occurred during Friday prayers, when mosques around the country are filled with worshippers. A regional Daesh affiliate said one of its members had targeted the mosque by detonating an explosive vest. 

“China is deeply shocked by the deadly explosion in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad and the heavy casualties it has inflicted,” the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson’s statement said.

“China strongly condemns the attack, opposes any form of terrorism and firmly supports the Pakistani government in safeguarding national security and stability and protecting the safety of the people.”

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that law enforcement agencies carried out raids in the northwestern cities of Peshawar and Nowshera after the bombing. He said four of the facilitators of the attack were subsequently arrested.

“The main mastermind is related to Daesh, and he is now under our custody,” the minister said. “All the planning and training of this incident had been done by Daesh inside Afghanistan.”

Friday’s mosque blast was the deadliest in Islamabad since a 2008 suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel that killed 63 people and wounded more than 250. 

In November 2025, a suicide bomber struck outside a court in the capital, killing 12 people.

Pakistan’s military and civilian government have long accused the Afghan Taliban government of sheltering militants on Afghan soil. Islamabad says these militants launch attacks from sanctuaries in Afghanistan against Pakistan. 

Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected these allegations, accusing Islamabad of blaming Kabul for its security failings.  

Pakistan also blames India for funding and supporting militants who launch these attacks against it. New Delhi has rejected these allegations from Islamabad.