The Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has clarified that IT companies, call centers and business process outsourcing firms will remain exempt from the recently announced four-day work week and other energy-saving protocols.
The decision comes as the government introduces steps to manage rising energy costs and the impact of the global fuel crisis. Officials say the exemption is meant to protect Pakistan’s growing digital economy and ensure that international clients continue receiving uninterrupted services.
According to the MoITT, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies and call centers have been classified as protected sectors. This means they will not be bound by operational timing restrictions or forced shutdowns that may apply to other industries under the fuel conservation plan.
Officials say these sectors rely on round-the-clock operations, especially because many firms provide services to overseas clients working in different time zones. Any disruption could affect service contracts and damage Pakistan’s reputation in the global outsourcing market.
The government has also formed an implementation committee to ensure the policy is applied smoothly across the country. The committee is currently working on guidelines so that IT firms in all provinces can continue operating without administrative hurdles.
| Resource | Contact Information |
| Email Support | support@pseb.org.pk |
| Call Center (Markaz) | 0800-01010 |
| Status | Protected / Exempt |
Companies facing operational issues under the new policy have been advised to contact the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), which will provide support and coordination.
