Pakistan’s IT exports hit new record to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan Sees Growing Demand for High-Skilled Workers as It Expands Tech Exports to Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is driving rapid expansion in its technology sector, setting the stage for an influx of high-skilled professionals including IT specialists and cybersecurity experts. As Pakistan’s human resources enter the global market, driven by emerging bilateral cooperation initiatives, strategic skill-development programs, and enhanced institutional ties, there’s a shift towards knowledge-based employment.

In 2025, as many as 530,256 Pakistani workers settled in various Saudi cities, marking an increase from the previous year’s figure of 452,562. This surge reflects a steady rise in migration figures and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic transformation under Vision 2030. Taimor Butt, an IT and cybersecurity expert based in Saudi Arabia, noted that KSA is actively recruiting high-tech professionals from around the globe, particularly those skilled in automation, software development, AI, and cyber security.

KSA’s projects underscored a growing need for highly skilled talent, as many employers offer attractive packages including relocation support, visa sponsorship, competitive salaries, housing allowances, transportation, and health insurance. Pakistanis have emerged as preferred candidates in cybersecurity, given its critical nature. Butt added that KSA and Pakistan should invest in the human resources of these emerging technologies and build capacity among talented professionals who can serve both defense and private sectors based on local needs.

Both nations could collaborate by establishing joint ventures, pooling capital and expertise, especially in areas such as cybersecurity and AI. Last year, multiple agreements were signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to bolster defence cooperation and strategic ties. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD) aims to increase emigration figures to a million over the next few years.

Saudi Arabia is significantly expanding economic activities across sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, tourism, and major global events including Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034. This growth creates unprecedented demands for skilled professionals, driving significant migration towards Saudi Arabia. Experts argue that Pakistan should transform its education system to strengthen IT skills training at all levels—diploma holders, graduates, PhDs—and establish dedicated IT universities.

Dr Noman Said of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis emphasized that remittance inflows have grown steadily to $19.7 billion in the first half of the current financial year, indicating a robust growth rate of 11%. With over two percent annual population growth and limited domestic job opportunities amid an unemployment rate above seven percent, export of manpower emerges as a viable strategy for optimally utilizing human talent while attracting foreign remittances.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s vision-driven technological expansion in the Kingdom is catalyzing an influx of high-skilled workers from Pakistan. Enhanced cooperation between both countries will be essential to leveraging this growth and aligning domestic resources with global demand.