Pakistan’s services exports grew 22.6 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, with information technology once again doing most of the heavy lifting, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data reported by Dawn.
Services exports reached $2.72 billion in July to September, up from $2.22 billion in the same quarter last year. In September alone, they rose 15.35 percent to about $930 million.
IT remains the main engine
State Bank of Pakistan figures show exports of telecommunication, computer and information services, the category that captures the IT industry, reached $1.246 billion in the quarter, compared with $1.059 billion a year earlier, a rise of 17.7 percent. September’s IT figure was $435 million, up 18.2 percent from $368 million.
Other business services also grew strongly, up about 28 percent to $622 million, while transport services rose 9.7 percent to $295 million.
Imports rising too
Services imports increased 16.3 percent to $3.55 billion in the quarter, led by transport and travel. As a result, the services trade deficit was almost unchanged at about $832 million. In September, however, the deficit widened 84 percent year-on-year to roughly $283 million as imports jumped 26 percent.
Why it matters
Pakistan’s services exports rose to $10.04 billion in FY26, from $8.45 billion a year earlier. With IT growing close to 18 percent and accounting for nearly half of all services exports, the sector is now one of the most dependable sources of foreign exchange. The rise in imports is a reminder that net gains depend on keeping export growth ahead of demand for foreign services.
Official sources: State Bank of Pakistan, trade in services data, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Also reported by: Dawn.
Facts and figures checked against official sources by the ITInsider desk.
