Pakistan's registered call centers have achieved impressive growth in export earnings, reporting over $200 million during the financial year 2024-25. Data from the State Bank of Pakistan reveals that export revenue reached $207 million between July and February—a 20 percent increase compared to $166 million during the same period last year.
The industry's success is fueled by Pakistan's cost-effective service model, which offers operational costs 60 to 70 percent lower than those of the U.S. and Europe. This competitive pricing attracts international clients and solidifies the country's position as an outsourcing hub. With over 1,000 operational call centers employing upwards of one million professionals, Pakistan continues to build its reputation as a reliable partner for global customer support.
A significant portion of revenue stems from export markets, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. Renowned for delivering high-quality and affordable services, Pakistani call centers have become essential contributors to the global outsourcing landscape.
Despite these achievements, challenges persist due to fraudulent activities associated with a few rogue call centers operating under the guise of "Dabba scams." These entities, allegedly involved in targeting foreign individuals, have raised concerns about the industry's integrity. Muhammad Umair Nizam, Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), condemned these illegal operations and emphasized their limited scope. He reaffirmed the IT sector's commitment to ethical practices and pledged support to authorities in eliminating fraud.
Nizam highlighted Pakistan's broader IT industry, which has surpassed $3.2 billion in exports, with aspirations to reach $15 billion by 2030. He stressed the importance of avoiding excessive regulatory actions that could impact the wider IT and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) ecosystem.
As a rising contender in global outsourcing, Pakistan aims to challenge traditional leaders such as India and the Philippines. According to the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), major corporations like AT&T, Amazon, and Emirates are among Pakistan's key clients. The country's youthful, English-speaking workforce—63 percent of the population is under 30—plays a vital role in driving growth. Urban hubs such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad boast advanced IT infrastructure, enabling round-the-clock service delivery to international markets.