FAISALABAD - PTCL said on Thursday that it opened a regional headquarters, a move analysts say could reshape the country's mobile payments sector.
Universities are responding too. IBA Karachi has added new courses in cybersecurity, and enrolment in computer science programmes rose 30% this year.
The broader picture is one of steady growth. Internet penetration now exceeds 55% of the population, and mobile broadband subscriptions have more than doubled since 2021.
The view from investors
The numbers tell part of the story. Freelancers in Pakistan brought in $12 million in Q1 2025, and the country remains one of the largest suppliers of online talent in the world.
"Our customers told us they wanted something simple, local and in their own language. That is what we shipped."
Sana Malik, co-founder at Systems Limited
Employees will be offered training through a partnership with GIKI, the company said, with a focus on cloud engineering, data analysis and product management.
Key takeaways
The service will initially be available in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Islamabad, with a nationwide launch planned for later in 2028.
Key points
- Rollout begins in Peshawar and Islamabad before expanding nationwide
- Competitors including Bazaar Technologies are expected to respond within months
- Funding round values the company at about $60 million
- New features will support Urdu alongside English
Not everyone is convinced. Critics point to a shortage of skilled engineers, unreliable power supply and a tax regime that changes almost every budget cycle as reasons for caution.
Still, questions remain about long-term sustainability. Margins in the e-commerce business are thin, and customer acquisition costs have risen sharply since 2019.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
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