RAWALPINDI - the Pakistan Software Export Board announced on Friday that it published its annual sector report, according to a statement released to reporters.
Still, questions remain about long-term sustainability. Margins in the software exports business are thin, and customer acquisition costs have risen sharply since 2021.
Analysts at Tajir estimate that the addressable market could be worth $18 million by 2030, driven by a young population and rising smartphone ownership.
The bigger picture
Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for the Ministry of IT and Telecom said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.
"Every startup founder in Multan is asking the same question: how do we compete with global platforms on a fraction of the budget?"
Danish Ali, spokesperson at Airlift
Investors remain cautiously optimistic. Total venture funding into Pakistani startups reached $12 million in Q3 2026, the strongest quarter since 2022.
How the deal came together
The broader picture is one of steady growth. Internet penetration now exceeds 15% of the population, and mobile broadband subscriptions have more than doubled since 2022.
Key points
- Roughly 150 jobs expected over the next two years
- Partnership with GIKI to train local engineers
- Rollout begins in Sialkot and Rawalpindi before expanding nationwide
- Regulatory approval from the Pakistan Software Export Board still pending
Security experts have urged users to enable two-factor authentication and to update their apps promptly, noting that attackers increasingly target mobile-first markets.
For consumers, the immediate impact is likely to be modest. Prices are expected to stay flat until at least July, and the new features will roll out gradually across the country.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
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