ISLAMABAD: Amid global trade tensions and US tariff shifts, Pakistan’s underutilized digital sector could become a powerful economic lever. With sectors like software development, fintech, and AI among the fastest-growing in the US, experts say Pakistan’s IT exports to US markets remain a largely untapped opportunity in the country's trade landscape. According to Pakistan Business Council (PBC) CEO Ehsan Malik, the United States—despite being Pakistan’s largest export destination—accounts for only 0.16% of US imports, revealing significant room for expansion, particularly in high-demand tech services. While traditional sectors like manufacturing and apparel face declining demand in the US, industries such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and professional services are on a rapid upward trajectory. This shift marks a strategic inflection point for Pakistan, which has long relied on textile and commodity-based exports. “The US market can no longer be ignored,” Malik stated, highlighting that the US economy—valued at $27.7 trillion—represents 26% of global GDP, with 70% of that driven by consumer spending. With over 67 million Americans earning more than $100,000 annually, demand for digital services and innovation continues to surge. Despite this, Pakistan’s tech exports remain under-leveraged, largely due to inconsistent infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and limited international branding. However, the country has a competitive edge: a large pool of English-speaking IT talent and one of the lowest service costs in the region. The PBC chief also emphasized that Pakistan should avoid reactive trade decisions and instead focus on strategic engagement with the US. Rather than compete with China in volume, Pakistan can differentiate itself through niche service offerings in areas like software engineering, cloud services, cybersecurity, and EdTech. With the right reforms and outreach, experts suggest Pakistan’s IT exports to the US could mirror the success of regional peers like India and Vietnam, which have successfully positioned themselves as global tech outsourcing hubs.