KARACHI: Pakistan’s freelancing sector is expanding rapidly, with earnings by Pakistani freelancers expected to exceed $2.5 billion during the current fiscal year, according to the Pakistan Freelancers Association.
Ibrahim Amin, founder and chairman of the association, said Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s leading emerging freelancing markets. Freelancers generated $1.76 billion in export earnings during the previous fiscal year, while earnings reached $17 million in July, the first month of the current fiscal year.
Government to Host Freelancers’ Recognition Event
Amin said the government has organized an event at the Governor House Karachi on August 29 to celebrate the sector’s performance and recognize Pakistani freelancers.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja is expected to attend the event and encourage freelancers contributing to Pakistan’s digital economy.
Freelancers’ Numbers Exceed 3 Million
According to Amin, Pakistan now has more than three million freelancers. He said supportive government policies could help expand the freelancer base further and increase the country’s export earnings from IT and digital services.
The growth of freelancing has also created opportunities for Pakistanis to earn foreign exchange by providing services to international clients through online platforms.
Freelancers Seek Lower Tax on Educational YouTube Platforms
The Pakistan Freelancers Association has also urged the government to exempt active educational platforms on YouTube from the existing 5% tax or reduce the rate to 1%.
Amin argued that educational and entertainment platforms should not be placed in the same tax category, given the role of online educational content in developing digital skills.
He said continued policy support and improved facilities could help Pakistan further expand its freelancing industry and increase IT-related export revenues.
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