PM urged to announce special package for IT industry

KARACHI: Former Chairperson of P@SHA (Pakistan IT Industry Association) Muhammad Zohaib Khan has called upon Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to announce a special package for the IT industry in the upcoming budget.

Given the prime minister’s clear vision for a digital and knowledge economy through initiatives like Uraan Pakistan, it is crucial to introduce strong policy reforms and incentives to ensure sustainable growth in the sector, he said it in a statement.

This year, IT industry is projected to achieve approximately $3.6 billion in exports, a testament to the focused approach of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on the IT sector and the tireless efforts of the Ministry of IT & Telecom, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and other key stakeholders. However, to maintain and accelerate this momentum, Pakistan must take extraordinary measures to position itself as a global tech leader.

“A well-structured IT package is essential to unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s tech ecosystem. The government must introduce policies that facilitate ease of business, relaxation in taxation, targeted funding for skill development programs, an aggressive Brand Pakistan campaign, and most importantly, mobilise Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) incentives exclusively for the IT sector,” Khan said.

He further emphasised that with the national budget around the corner, this is a critical opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to the IT sector -- an industry that can drive economic growth, create high-value jobs and significantly boost exports. “With the right policies and incentives, the IT sector has the potential to surpass $5 billion in exports in the future, but this requires bold steps and immediate action,” he added.