IT exports down 3pc.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's IT exports dipped almost three per cent year-on-year to $195 million in February.

However, Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITES (P@SHA) blamed government policies for the decline in exports and demanded that several restrictions imposed over the flow of capital out of Pakistan should be eased.

According to those affiliated with software and IT industry, the export proceeds dropped because most of the software houses were not bringing their earnings to the country.

They also revealed that majority of those affiliated with this industry park their earnings abroad, mostly in Dubai, and manage those bank accounts digitally.

'The key reason is inconsistent government policies and lack of trust in the system especially since the start of current fiscal year,' said chairman P@SHA Zohaib Khan.

He referred to the directive issued by the State Bank of Pakistan on Jan 13 to facilitate freelancers to boost the exports coming from software and IT related services.

'The directive was to allow the IT...