Pakistan’s IT exports are growing rapidly, but the country remains largely absent from the lucrative global artificial intelligence consulting industry.
According to private-sector AI consulting firm Densight Labs, Gulf countries spend more than $12 billion annually on AI consulting and implementation services, yet Pakistan captures less than 1 percent of that market.
More than 70 percent of Pakistan’s technology export revenue comes from low and mid-value outsourcing, software development, and freelance services. High-value AI and data consulting account for only a small share of total exports.
The problem is not a shortage of talent but a lack of internationally recognized certifications, institutional credibility, and government-backed standards that can help Pakistani firms compete for larger contracts.
To address the issue, the proposal recommends creating a Pakistan AI Certification Standard (PACS), aligned with international IEEE and ISO frameworks, with the goal of generating an additional $500 million in AI consulting exports by FY2028.
The report warns that without moving into higher-value AI services, Pakistan’s IT industry could continue growing in volume while missing out on significantly larger export earnings.
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