Pakistan Announces First-Ever National IT Industry Census to Boost Digital Economy
PSEB to Map Size, Workforce, and Capabilities of IT Sector
Pakistan is set to conduct its first National IT Industry Census, a major initiative aimed at strengthening planning and policymaking for the country’s rapidly growing technology sector. The census will be carried out by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication.
This nationwide exercise will create a comprehensive and verified picture of Pakistan’s IT and IT-enabled services industry, helping authorities move away from planning based on estimates and incomplete data.
What the IT Industry Census Will Cover
According to PSEB, the census will collect in-depth data from IT and IT-enabled services companies across the country, including:
Total workforce and skill distribution
Core service areas and technical expertise
Geographic presence and regional hubs
Company size and operational scale
The goal is to build a centralized and reliable database that accurately reflects the current state of Pakistan’s IT industry.
Enabling Data-Driven Policymaking
One of the key objectives of the census is to support evidence-based policymaking. With verified industry data, the government will be better positioned to design targeted regulations, incentives, and support programs aligned with the sector’s real needs and growth potential.
Officials believe this approach will improve decision-making related to taxation, compliance, investment incentives, and industry regulation.
Supporting Growth, Exports, and Investment
The collected data is also expected to play a crucial role in strategic sector planning, including:
IT export growth strategies
Skill development and training programs
Infrastructure expansion
Investment and startup facilitation
Industry experts say the census will help identify emerging IT hubs, underserved regions, and gaps where targeted interventions can accelerate growth.
Findings to Be Shared With Key Stakeholders
PSEB has confirmed that the census findings will be shared with government departments, policymakers, and industry associations, ensuring that the data is actively used for long-term planning and sector development.
A Milestone for Pakistan’s IT Sector
The launch of the National IT Industry Census marks a significant step toward data-driven governance in Pakistan’s digital economy. As the IT sector continues to expand, this initiative is expected to lay a stronger foundation for sustainable growth, competitiveness, and global positioning.
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