Pakistan to Conduct First National IT Industry Census to Strengthen Sector Planning

The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), operating under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, is set to launch the country’s first-ever National IT Industry Census, a comprehensive initiative aimed at mapping the size, structure, and capabilities of Pakistan’s IT sector.

The census will collect detailed information from IT and IT-enabled services companies, including workforce numbers, areas of expertise, geographic presence, and operational scale. According to PSEB officials, the initiative is designed to create a unified and verified database for the IT industry, addressing longstanding gaps caused by reliance on estimated figures in planning and policymaking.

The primary objective of the census is to enable evidence-based policymaking. Verified industry data will help the government develop more targeted policies, regulatory frameworks, and incentive structures that reflect the actual needs and potential of Pakistan’s IT sector.

The data gathered is also expected to aid strategic growth planning, including export promotion, skill development, infrastructure expansion, and investment facilitation. Industry stakeholders believe the exercise will identify emerging IT hubs, underserved regions, and areas requiring targeted interventions to stimulate sectoral development.

PSEB confirmed that findings from the census will be shared with relevant government departments, policymakers, and industry associations to support informed decision-making and long-term sector planning.

This initiative marks a significant step toward formalizing data-driven governance in Pakistan’s fast-growing IT industry.

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