Pakistan IT Exports Rise 17% to $394.6 Million in August 2026

Pakistan earned $394.6 million from IT and IT-enabled services exports in August 2026, 17.1 per cent more than in August 2025. We took the figure straight from the State Bank of Pakistan's trade in services table, where it appears as "telecommunications, computer and information services".

August was lower than July's $417.4 million, a fall of 5.5 per cent. But the first two months of the 2026-27 fiscal year together brought $812 million, up 17.4 per cent. Freelancers earned about a quarter of the August total, and their share is now tracked line by line in the State Bank's data.

IT exports rose 17 per cent to $394.6 million in August

Pakistan's IT and IT-enabled services exports were $394.6 million in August 2026, against $337.1 million in August 2025, according to State Bank of Pakistan data. That is growth of 17.1 per cent. The August number is provisional and can be revised next month.

The monthly dip from July is not a worry on its own. July was an unusually strong month. The year-on-year comparison is the one that tells you the trend.

We did not find a separate release on the August figure from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication or the Pakistan Software Export Board when we checked. The numbers here are the State Bank's.

Software consultancy and freelancers drove the growth

Computer services made up $331.3 million of August's IT exports, up 18.3 per cent. Within that, software consultancy grew fastest, up 29.8 per cent to $114.3 million. Freelance computer work brought in $106.0 million, up 15.7 per cent.

The table leaves out a few very small lines, such as hardware consultancy and news agency services, so the rows add up to slightly less than the total. Growth rates are our arithmetic from the State Bank's figures.

Call centres alone brought in $34.1 million. That is a reminder that "IT exports" in Pakistan's statistics covers more than coding.

July and August together reached $812 million

In July and August 2026, Pakistan's IT and IT-enabled services exports totalled $812.0 million, up from $691.7 million in the same two months of 2025. That is growth of 17.4 per cent at the start of the 2026-27 fiscal year.

IT is now the largest part of Pakistan's services exports. In August, all services exports were $873.0 million, so IT made up about 45 per cent of them. Pakistan also bought $57.8 million of IT services from abroad in August, which leaves a surplus of about $337 million for the month.

Those dollars count in the same external account as money sent home by workers abroad, which brought in $3.66 billion in August. Remittances in August 2026 were almost ten times IT exports, which shows how much room the sector still has to grow.

Freelancers earned about a quarter of IT exports

Freelance computer and information services earned $106.0 million in August, about 27 per cent of IT exports. Over July and August, freelancers in this category earned $212.8 million, up 17.2 per cent from $181.5 million a year earlier.

The State Bank also counts a second freelance line outside IT, called "other freelance services". It covers work such as writing, design or consulting that is not computer work. That line more than doubled in August, to $70.7 million from $32.8 million, and reached $139.4 million over two months.

Put the two lines together and freelancers brought about $176.7 million into Pakistan through official channels in August alone. That money only shows up in these figures if it arrives through a bank or licensed payment service and is recorded as export income.

Freelancers gain most by getting paid through official channels

For freelancers, the practical point is simple: payments that come in through a bank or licensed channel are counted as export income. That record is what lets you claim export tax treatment and keep earnings in a foreign currency account. Money that arrives informally gets neither.

Here is what to do if you earn from foreign clients:

1. Receive client payments into a bank account or licensed payment service in your own name.
2. Ask your bank to tag the payment as export of services, not as a home remittance.
3. Register with the Pakistan Software Export Board if you qualify, so you can claim the lower tax rate.
4. Consider keeping part of your earnings in a foreign currency account.
5. Keep invoices and contracts, in case your bank or the FBR asks where the money came from.

On the fourth point, the State Bank said on 25 September 2026 that IT companies and freelancers have been allowed to open foreign currency accounts and keep export earnings in them. The details of PSEB registration and the 0.25% freelancer tax rate are worth reading before you file your return. Clients abroad often ask to pay by PayPal, and the working routes for getting paid as a freelancer in Pakistan.

Common questions

How much were Pakistan's IT exports in August 2026?

$394.6 million, according to State Bank of Pakistan data. That is 17.1 per cent more than the $337.1 million of August 2025.

Why did IT exports fall from July to August 2026?

July was unusually strong at $417.4 million. August was 5.5 per cent lower, but still 17.1 per cent above August 2025.

How much do freelancers earn in Pakistan's IT exports?

Freelance computer and information services earned $106.0 million in August 2026, about 27 per cent of IT exports.

What are IT exports for July to August 2026?

$812.0 million, up 17.4 per cent from $691.7 million in July and August 2025.

Where does the State Bank publish IT export data?

In its monthly trade in services table on the economic data page, under "telecommunications, computer and information services".

Last checked and sources

Last checked on 27 September 2026. Every export figure in this article, for August 2025, July 2026 and August 2026 and for July to August of both fiscal years, is from the State Bank of Pakistan trade in services table (EBOPS 2010), in which August 2026 is marked provisional and July 2026 revised. Growth rates and shares are our arithmetic. The foreign currency account facility for IT companies and freelancers is from the State Bank press release of 25 September 2026. We found no separate August release from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication or the Pakistan Software Export Board.