Pakistan’s $15 Billion IT Dream Faces a Major Skills Crisis

LAHORE, September 15, 2026, Pakistan’s ambitious plan to push IT exports to $15 billion is facing a major obstacle: the country does not have enough skilled, industry-ready technology workers to meet the growing demand.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the country has jobs and opportunities in the technology sector, but a shortage of workers with the right skills is becoming a major hurdle to achieving the export target. (Dawn)

The warning came during an American Business Forum and LUMS thought-leadership session in Lahore, where government, academia and technology-sector representatives discussed how Pakistan can expand its IT industry and compete more effectively in international markets. (Academia)

The scale of the skills gap was highlighted by a national baseline assessment involving around 33,000 seventh- and eighth-semester computer science students. According to the minister, only 0.4% scored above 80% across 10 employability competencies, while around 4% scored above 68%. (Dawn)

“The jobs are there. The opportunity is there. But the right people with the right skills are not there,” the minister said, pointing to the need for structural changes in university curricula, teaching methods and the wider education system. (Dawn)

The government is also focusing on the infrastructure needed to support the sector, including fibre connectivity, mobile broadband, spectrum availability and regulations covering satellite technologies. Officials have also discussed measures aimed at reducing the impact of internet disruptions on technology companies. (Academia)

Pakistan’s IT exports are already growing. The government expects exports to exceed $4.5 billion during the current fiscal year, while the longer-term objective is to reach $15 billion. (Profit by Pakistan Today)

The challenge now is turning Pakistan’s large pool of young graduates into workers capable of competing in higher-value global technology markets. Officials and industry representatives say stronger cooperation between universities, government and companies will be necessary if Pakistan is to close the skills gap and turn its $15 billion IT export ambition into reality. (Academia)