The size of IT market in Pakistan now stands well over $700 million, Pakistan's Minister for Information Technology Awais Leghari said. Pakistan's IT industry has been growing aggressively and has become one of the leading industry, generating direct employment for over 120,000 persons and indirectly affecting every enterprise in the country, the minister said during a meeting with representatives of IT industry. The meeting was arranged by Pakistan Software Export Board. Heads of major national and multinational IT companies in Pakistan, senior officials of the Ministry of Information Technology and representatives of Pakistan Software Houses Association were also present. The minister told the meeting that current volume of Pakistani IT market in Pakistan has worth well over $ 700 million, which is a respectable by any standards._ Leghari said that there has never been a better time for doing IT business in Pakistan. _The IT industry is already experiencing a 30 per cent growth rate, year on year, which reflects the strength of the IT industry in general and the government policies in particular,_ he added. The minister said: _We have a thriving economy and a political will accelerate the process of growth that has been witnessed in all key sectors of the economy. Consistent policies and market liberalization had contributed significantly to raise Pakistan's credibility and prestige among businessmen around the world._
