KARACHI: Pakistan’s digital economy can contribute up to 7% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) said in a report on Wednesday, if structural bottlenecks are addressed and reforms accelerated.
Pakistan’s government has recently undertaken efforts to push the country toward a “cashless” system as Islamabad attempts to digitize the economy for greater transparency. Pakistan last month launched the 5G spectrum auction and has taken steps to promote digital payment system Raast to promote cashless economy.
The OICC on Wednesday issued its report, “Recommendations for Pakistan’s Digital Future,” saying it presented a comprehensive assessment of the country’s digital ecosystem, policy gaps and growth opportunities.
“Pakistan’s digital economy has the potential to contribute 5–7% to GDP by 2030 if key structural bottlenecks are addressed and reforms accelerated,” the OICC said in a press release.
The report pointed toward “strong momentum” toward Pakistan’s adoption of digital services. It noted that IT and IT-enabled services (IteS) exports reached $3.8 billion, while the country’s thriving freelance economy generated $779 million in earnings.
Pakistan now has more than 150 million broadband subscriptions and over 200 million telecom connections, the report said, with the mobile ecosystem contributing an estimated $17 billion to the national economy.
However, the report pointed toward “significant infrastructure gaps,” warning it could slow digital growth.
“Only about 18% of cellular towers are connected through fiber, far below the global benchmark of around 40%,” the OICC said, adding that it limits network capacity and readiness for next-generation technologies.
OICCI President Yousaf Hussain said the report reflects encouraging gains in digital finance and inclusion. He said the Raast instant payment system processed Rs18 trillion [$64.5 billion] in peer-to-peer transactions in FY26, demonstrating the rapid adoption of digital financial services.
OICCI Secretary General M. Abdul Aleem noted that while policy dialogue has progressed, implementation remains slow.
“Faster execution, improved fiber penetration and a more investment-friendly regulatory environment will be essential to unlock Pakistan’s digital potential,” Aleem said.
The report recommended lower taxes on broadband services and digital devices, accelerated fiber deployment and regulatory clarity in data protection and cybersecurity.
It also called for stronger public-private collaboration to position Pakistan as a “competitive regional digital economy.”
The government says its efforts to digitize Pakistan’s economy is aimed to curb corruption and tax evasion.
Pakistan, however, continues to remain a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted in cash.
