1. IT exports hit a record in FY2026
According to State Bank of Pakistan figures, IT exports grew from USD 3.81 billion in FY2025 to about USD 4.6 billion in FY2026, a rise of roughly 21%. The final quarter (April to June 2026) brought in USD 1.212 billion, and June 2026 was the strongest single month on record at USD 416 million, about 11.7% of all Pakistani exports that month. The total still fell short of the government target of USD 5 billion.
| Metric | FY2025 | FY2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Total IT exports | $3.81B | $4.6B |
| June monthly exports | $339M | $416M |
| Q4 (Apr to Jun) | n/a | $1.212B |
2. Freelancers are a big part of the story
Freelance exports are growing faster than the IT sector overall. State Bank data reported by ProPakistani shows freelancer exports above USD 1 billion in FY2026, up about 50% and roughly 25% of total IT exports. A finance ministry adviser, Khurram Schehzad, cited a higher figure of USD 1.76 billion, up 78% year on year. Estimates of the freelance workforce range from 2.37 million registered freelancers to 2.5 to 3 million active ones.
3. The cost gap is still wide
In the United States, the median pay for web developers and digital designers is USD 99,520 a year (USD 47.85 an hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 data). That excludes benefits, software, recruiting and idle time between projects. Offshore white label teams are paid per project, which turns a fixed salary into a variable cost tied to client revenue.
4. What this means for US and UK agencies
Capacity on demand
A growing export sector means more experienced teams who already work to Western briefs, tools and quality standards.
Time zone fit
Pakistan is UTC+5: 4 to 5 hours ahead of the UK and 9 to 10 hours ahead of US Eastern, giving UK agencies same day overlap and US agencies overnight delivery.
Due diligence matters
Pick a registered company with an office, NDAs, milestone payments and a pilot project, not an anonymous profile.
How we read the numbers at TekShove
TekShove is a Karachi based digital agency and white label partner for agencies in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. The growth in these figures matches what we see: more agencies are moving web, Shopify and AI automation fulfillment offshore so they can grow revenue without growing payroll. If you are considering it, see our guides for US agencies and UK agencies.
Frequently asked questions
How much were Pakistan IT exports in FY2026?
Pakistan IT exports reached about USD 4.6 billion in FY2026 (July 2025 to June 2026), up roughly 21% from USD 3.81 billion in FY2025, according to State Bank of Pakistan data.
How much do Pakistani freelancers earn from exports?
State Bank data reported by ProPakistani put freelancer exports above USD 1 billion in FY2026, up about 50%. A finance ministry adviser, Khurram Schehzad, cited a higher figure of USD 1.76 billion, up 78%. The gap comes from different counting methods.
How many freelancers are there in Pakistan?
Reports cite about 2.37 million registered freelancers, while officials estimate 2.5 to 3 million active freelancers.
Is it safe for an agency to outsource development to Pakistan?
It can be, if you pick a registered company with a physical office, signed NDAs, milestone payments, a pilot project and clear code ownership. Check reviews, case studies and how they communicate before sending client work.
What is the time difference between Pakistan and the US or UK?
Pakistan Standard Time is UTC+5 with no daylight saving. Karachi is 4 to 5 hours ahead of London and 9 to 10 hours ahead of New York.
Sources
- Nukta: Pakistan records highest ever IT exports of USD 4.6 billion in FY26 (SBP data), July 2026
- Outsource Accelerator: Pakistan IT exports record (SBP via ProPakistani), July 2026
- Arab News: Pakistan records USD 1.76 billion freelancer export earnings in FY2025 to 26, July 2026
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Web Developers and Digital Designers, May 2025 data
You are welcome to cite this report with a link to this page.
Need a white label development partner?
Book a partner call. NDA first, pilot project second.
Book a partner callTalk to Our Team
Tell us what you need help with and our team will get back to you.
