Muhammad Umar Waqqas
KARACHI: Pakistan’s information technology sector has moved well beyond its early promise, emerging as a significant contributor to exports, employment and the country’s digital economy. However, sustaining this momentum will require a strategic shift from providing technology services to developing and owning technology products, according to Mohsin Raza, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SavTech Global.
SavTech Global is a Pakistan-based technology company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), automation and enterprise digital transformation. The company has developed a portfolio of AI-driven products, including Talkobotic for voice automation, Growmatic for retail intelligence, WiseWatch for intelligent monitoring, SavTrack CRM, TalentLens, ProFlow, and other platforms supporting human resources, inventory management and business operations.
Sharing his views on the future of Pakistan’s technology industry, Raza said the country has already demonstrated its ability to compete in global markets.
Citing the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26, he noted that ICT export remittances reached $3.38 billion during July-March, marking a 19.7 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year. More than 34,000 IT and IT-enabled services companies were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) by March 2026, while freelancers generated over $856 million in foreign exchange during the same period.
While describing these figures as encouraging, Raza argued that the country’s next challenge is ensuring greater ownership of the value created by its technology sector.
“For years, Pakistan’s competitive advantage has been its skilled, English-speaking workforce available at competitive costs,” he observed. This model enabled freelancers,software houses and business process outsourcing firms to establish credibility with international clients. However, he cautioned that a business model primarily based on selling labour has inherent limitations, as global competition will eventually drive costs even lower.
According to Mohsin Raza, AI is rapidly reshaping the industry, with automation replacing repetitive coding, support and administrative tasks. He believes companies that own products, intellectual property and customer relationships will generate greater long-term value than those relying solely on outsourced services.
Reflecting on the industry’s evolution, Raza said AI has progressed rapidly within Pakistan over the past few years.
He noted that what was once limited to simple chatbot demonstrations has evolved into sophisticated AI applications, including voice agents capable of handling customer interactions, computer vision systems for retail analytics and automation tools that significantly reduce business processing times.
Drawing from SavTech Global’s own experience, Raza said the company’s product portfolio was developed to address real-world business challenges rather than simply showcase technological capabilities.
According to him, successful AI adoption is not about replacing human workers but eliminating repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on critical thinking, creativity and customer engagement.
Despite the industry’s progress, Raza acknowledged that several structural challenges continue to constrain Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
He identified shortages of skilled professionals in artificial intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity as key concerns. He also pointed to unreliable electricity and internet connectivity, limited access to growth capital, cross-border payment challenges and foreign exchange costs as barriers to scaling technology businesses internationally.
As AI assumes a greater role in areas such as recruitment, lending and customer decision-making, Raza emphasized the need for clearer regulatory frameworks governing data protection, accountability and the responsible use of emerging technologies.
He stressed that addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration between government, academia and the private sector.
According to him, Pakistan must treat digital infrastructure as export infrastructure, maintain stable tax and regulatory policies, and strengthen industry-academia collaboration through practical, employer-led academic programmes and apprenticeships.
Raza further advocated greater adoption of locally developed technology solutions by public and private institutions, arguing that domestic reference customers are essential before Pakistani products can successfully compete in international markets.
Highlighting the company’s expansion plans, Raza said SavTech Global will showcase its AI portfolio at ITCN Asia in Karachi this September and participate in the AI & Big Data Expo Europe in Amsterdam in October to strengthen international partnerships and expand its global presence.
“Pakistan’s long-term ambition should extend beyond being recognised as a destination for outsourced technology services. The country must strive to become a global producer of innovative technology products, capable of building, owning and exporting intellectual property that delivers sustainable economic value and strengthens Pakistan’s position in the global digital economy.” Mohsin Raza, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SavTech Global tells The Financial Daily.
