KARACHI: Pakistani freelancers are enhancing their contribution to global freelancing market, bringing in over USD 850 million foreign exchange in the country by the end of third quarter of the current financial year despite multiple challenges and issues of internet disruption and electricity load shedding.
According to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), freelancers of computer and IT services fetched USD 856 million by the end of third quarter of the current financial year 2025-26 as compared to USD 567 million reported in a similar period of the last financial year, showing a handsome 50 percent growth or USD 289 million record upsurge.
Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Ibrahim Amin said that hundreds of thousands of individuals trained by public sector initiatives and non-governmental organizations are entering the freelancing market each month, boosting the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
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In this regard, the role of institutions is crucial in development of freelancing ecosystem in the country, including Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, Pakistan Software Export Board, and the Special Investment Facilitation Council in developing a supportive ecosystem for freelancers.
He urged the government and internet service providers to ensure uninterrupted and high-speed internet services across Pakistan to support the digitally-connected economy, including freelancers and gig economy workers nationwide.
According to the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan is home to over 2.37 million freelancers, ranking among the top countries globally in terms of freelance workforce size.
To address these issues, he suggested that the government introduce satellite-based internet solutions as an alternative, ensuring reliable connectivity and minimizing disruptions caused by submarine cable faults.
The PAFLA chairman expressed optimism that the rollout of 5G technology will significantly improve internet speeds in near future, enhancing the productivity of freelancers, content creators, and other online professionals across the country.
Saad Shah, an IT expert, said that the increasing trend of freelancing globally is opening a broader window of opportunity for Pakistani freelancers to enhance their contribution at multiple freelancing platforms and generate income in foreign currencies.
He further said that freelancers should work on their capacity building, including emerging, in-demand fields and soft skills to build their niche and develop business at handsome margins.
The recent policy shift of the banking regulator to allow commercial banks to open accounts for crypto investments is likely to enhance its trading from Pakistan and a number of individual investors or traders may actively trade digital currencies as freelancers, he further said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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