Pakistani freelancers outperform global counterparts, close in on $1bn milestone

May 28, 2026 (MLN): Pakistani freelancers earned over $950 million in foreign exchange during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, outpacing their counterparts in India, China, the UAE, and several other countries despite global and domestic headwinds, positioning Pakistan close to crossing the $1 billion milestone in freelancing export receipts.

According to the State Bank of Pakistan, export receipts from computer and information services generated through freelancing surged to $959 million during July–April of the current fiscal year, up from $642 million in the same period last year, a year-on-year increase of 49%, or $317 million.

Dr. Imran Batada, the newly appointed President and CEO of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), attributed the growth to rising participation of Pakistani freelancers on platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and social media.

He noted that awareness about freelancing has expanded significantly in recent years, prompting many individuals to acquire skills through online learning, private institutions, government-led training programmes, and NGO initiatives.

Pakistan's freelancing community currently stands at an estimated 3 million people, according to a press release issued

Dr. Batada  a five-time Global CIO Award recipient who has trained over 25,000 freelancers stressed that this number should grow in a structured manner through collaboration among the government, banking institutions, and other stakeholders.

He also urged freelancers, students, and young professionals to continuously upgrade their skills, with a particular focus on advanced AI and soft skills.

PAFLA has developed a strategy to organise onsite and online sessions across the country covering emerging freelancing trends, business development, and payment processes.

The association credited the approaching $1 billion milestone to 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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