Growing IT Skills Demand in Pakistan: Current Trends and Future Needs 2024

IT-Pakistan demand

The IT sector in Pakistan is experiencing a significant surge in demand for skilled professionals, creating notable gaps across technical, non-technical, and senior management roles. Aleem Abbas, Manager, Training and Development, Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), told SDRCP that his organization publishes an industry report every year, detailing the required skills in the IT sector. Students, educational institutions, policymakers, and other stakeholders can benefit from this precise data Below are the highlights from the IT Skills Requirements Survey Report 2023.

Key Findings from the Report

The survey encompasses 144 participating companies, reflecting a broad segment of the industry. Total job openings reported stand at 88,880 for P@SHA member companies, which includes 77,500 technical roles, 1,500 senior management positions, and 11,400 non-technical jobs. In terms of revenue, P@SHA member companies reported a combined PKR 245.8 billion for the fiscal year 2022-2023.

Current Skills Shortage

Data indicates that the Pakistani IT industry heavily relies on software development, with 82% of companies focusing primarily on this area. The most in-demand roles are in web and mobile development, cloud infrastructure, automation, software testing, and data analysis.

  • Web Engineering: A total of 20,250 resources are needed for web engineering roles, with Full Stack JavaScript (MEAN/MERN) being the most sought-after skill.
  • Mobile Development: The demand for mobile development roles amounts to 1,670 professionals, with React Native (Hybrid) leading the requirements.
  • Cloud Infrastructure: The sector requires 6,540 professionals skilled in advanced cloud technologies, such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Redis.
  • Automation and Software Testing: The demand for 2,125 professionals in this category exists, with Selenium being the top skill needed.
  • Data and Programming: More than 3,000 professionals are required for programming and data analysis roles, particularly those skilled in code repositories like Git and SVN.

Geographic Spread and Business Areas

Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are key hubs for IT companies in Pakistan, with 34%, 43%, and 23% of companies located in these cities, respectively. Software development dominates the business landscape, with 82% of companies engaged in this field, followed by cloud-based services and automation.

Future Requirements and Upskilling Needs

While the current demand for technical professionals is substantial, the report highlights future skill requirements, emphasizing the necessity for upskilling to meet evolving industry standards. Critical areas for future training include:

  • Cloud Technologies: There is a growing need for professionals skilled in cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
  • Project Management and Certifications: Agile and Scrum certifications are increasingly essential, alongside proficiency in project management tools like Jira and Trello.
  • Professional Communication: Soft skills are becoming increasingly valued in the IT industry, especially for roles in business development and project management.