Pakistani freelancers have contributed significantly to the country’s economy by earning more than $950 million in foreign exchange during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, outperforming freelancers from India, China, the UAE, and several other countries despite multiple global and domestic challenges.

According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), export receipts generated through freelancing in computer and information services surged to $959 million during July-April, compared to $642 million recorded during the same period of the previous fiscal year, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 49 percent, or an increase of $317 million.

Dr. Imran Batada, the newly appointed President and CEO of Pakistan Freelancers Association, said the growth in freelancers’ income was driven by the increasing participation of Pakistani freelancers on various freelancing platforms, including Upwork, Fiverr, and social media platforms.

He noted that awareness about freelancing has increased immensely among Pakistanis over the past few years, encouraging many individuals to acquire skills through online learning, private institutions, government-led training programs, and initiatives by various NGOs.

Pakistan’s freelancing community is estimated at around 3 million people, and this number should continue to grow in a structured manner through collaboration among the government, banking companies, and other stakeholders, said Dr. Imran Batada, a CIO who has received the Global CIO Award five times and has produced over 25,000 freelancers.

He further emphasized that Pakistani freelancers should continuously upgrade their skills to maintain their competitiveness on global freelancing platforms. He also urged students and young professionals to focus on acquiring advanced AI and soft skills.

PAFLA has developed a strategy to organize various onsite and online sessions across the country to enhance freelancers’ knowledge of emerging freelancing trends, business development, and payment processes, Imran Batada said.

Pakistan is close to surpassing the $1 billion milestone in export receipts generated through freelancers. This landmark achievement has been made possible through the collective efforts of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, the Pakistan Software Export Board, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the Special Investment Facilitation Council.

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