Despite multiple local and global challenges, Pakistani freelancers have earned over $950 million in foreign exchange during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.
According to Express News, during this period (July 2025 to April 2026), Pakistani freelancers outperformed freelancers from India, China, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries.
The State Bank of Pakistan stated that export income from the computer and information services sector through freelancing reached $959 million during July to April, compared to $642 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This shows a year-on-year increase of 49%, amounting to an additional $317 million.
According to the President and CEO of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, Dr. Imran Butt, the increase in freelancers’ income is due to greater participation on various freelancing platforms including Upwork, Fiverr, and social media platforms.
He said that awareness of freelancing in Pakistan has significantly increased in recent years, enabling a large number of individuals to acquire skills through online learning, private institutions, government training programs, and various NGO initiatives.
The country’s freelancing community is estimated to consist of around 3 million people, and it is suggested that this number should be further increased in a structured manner through cooperation between the government, banking sector, and other stakeholders.
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