Key points
- Pakistani IT firms receive strong response at LEAP 2026
- Saudi Arabia emerges as key Gulf growth market
- More than 100 Pakistani companies attend technology event
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani information technology (IT) exporters are eyeing expansion in the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia, after receiving strong interest from international investors and technology companies at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh.
More than 100 Pakistani companies and nearly 1,000 delegates participated in the four-day technology event held from August 31 to September 3. Eighteen companies established booths at the Pakistan Pavilion under the theme “Think Tech, Think Pakistan”.
Pakistani firms showcased solutions in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, automation, data analytics, digital government and managed technology services.
Saad Shah, chief executive of Hexalyze, said Pakistani IT companies had received a positive response from Saudi companies and investors, particularly amid strengthening bilateral ties.
He said Saudi Arabia offered significant opportunities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and enterprise solutions, and Pakistani companies should consider establishing offshore offices in the Kingdom.
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Pakistan IT Industry Association Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed said the growing presence of Pakistani technology firms at international events demonstrated their ability to compete globally.
He said participation in LEAP could prove a game-changer by helping Pakistani companies expand service exports in the Gulf and other international markets.
Pakistan’s IT exports have already shown strong growth. ICT export remittances rose 19.7 per cent to a record $3.38 billion during July-March FY2026, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.
Industry experts said Saudi Arabia’s investments in artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and digital connectivity under Vision 2030 offered Pakistani technology companies a major opportunity to contribute to the Kingdom’s expanding digital economy.
