KARACHI: Pakistan has the talent to compete in the global technology sector but must take firmer policy and investment steps to benefit from the fast-growing artificial intelligence market, said Usman Asif, chief executive officer of Devsinc.
Speaking at a technology event in Islamabad, Asif noted that Pakistan produces around 300,000 IT graduates each year, providing a strong workforce base. However, he said targeted institutional support, improved connectivity infrastructure, and broader skills training were needed to translate this capacity into sustained export growth.
He highlighted the need to increase women’s participation in the technology workforce, expand fibre-optic access, and invest in training programmes for young people, particularly in rural areas.
Asif said IT exports have recorded steady growth over the past 18 months, with earnings of about $2.24 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year, but added that maintaining momentum would require consistent policy support and long-term planning.
Industry participants at the gathering discussed Pakistan’s potential to expand its share in markets such as the Gulf region and North America, while emphasising that structural reforms and skills development would be critical to competing globally in AI and digital services.
