Spotlight on Pakistan: Opportunities for Quality Software Outsourcing on a Budget

Okay, we know what you’re thinking: Seriously? Why would I want to outsource software development to Pakistan?

That’s exactly why we sent in an Accelerance team to investigate what’s happening there on the ground. We’re interested in innovation and finding the absolute best providers in the world, regardless of location. And with Pakistan, we hit the jackpot.

Our first clue that we should evaluate Pakistan as an outsourcing destination was the high number of large familiar brands who have already engineered software there, including Coca-Cola, Honeywell and Groupon.

The tumultuous political climate is a double-edged sword, making travel to certain areas risky. However, Pakistan’s volatility also makes it ideal for outsourcing on a budget, because there’s less demand. Average rates for software development teams are 20% less than in India, despite a comparable level of quality, particularly in standard technology stacks such as .NET and Java. 

Trade, globalization and the mixing of cultures is in the country’s DNA. Centuries before modern Pakistan gained independence in 1947, it sat at one of the main East-West crossroads on the ancient Silk Road. Derived from English common law, the country’s legal practices align with the West, and English remains the language of business. 

Travel has been widely disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the easiest way to get to Pakistan is typically via the Middle East. Most major US cities have direct flights to Dubai and from there, it’s a short flight to the capital Islamabad or to Lahore, where we were based on our trip. 

One of Pakistan’s wealthiest cities, Lahore is in the Punjab province, to the south. We were perfectly safe during our time there in the care of our hosts, who gave us such a warm welcome. Hospitality is woven into the culture, so don’t be surprised by any opportunities that may come your way – we were even invited to a local wedding!

For thrill seekers, Pakistan is home to a mountain climber’s dream, K2, in the magnificent Karakoram mountains. At almost 30,000 ft, it’s the second-highest peak in the world (after Mt Everest) and considered one of the most beautiful and most challenging to summit. More accessible for hardy adventurers is a guided trek to base camp, a 14-day round trip described by Lonely Planet as “one of the great hikes on earth”. 

Outsource with Confidence with Accelerance

Accelerance travels the world to simplify your search for the best offshore companies – and we remain impressed with what Pakistan has to offer. 

Visiting your software development team in person is invaluable to building a good working relationship. With international travel restricted indefinitely, you can have confidence that Accelerance has completed on-site vetting of all the partners in our global network as a key part of the certification process. Virtual meetings and collaboration tools also make it possible to work smoothly and efficiently across the miles.

If you’re interested in outsourcing your software development, contact Accelerance to find out more.

For the latest analysis on outsourcing opportunities throughout South and Southeast Asia, check out our 2021 regional guide.