Pakistan’s freelancers could generate $1 billion in earnings annually: Experts

Stakeholders foresee that Pakistan’s freelancing community could
enhance its annual earnings beyond $1 billion in the next financial
year with the increasing training opportunities, continued
institutional support, and digital ecosystem development.

 At the “AI Beyond Border Summit 2025” held at the 26th ITCN Asia
Karachi on Thursday, they highlighted that the freelancers’ community
is well-positioned to unlock new opportunities, attract global
clients, and cement its place as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s digital
economy due to coordinated efforts from industry, government, and
financial institutions.

Freelancers are the important players of Pakistan’s digital economy in
bringing valuable foreign exchange, establishing global trust in
Pakistani talent, and creating opportunities for themselves, fellow
youngsters, and women, said Chairman Pakistan Freelancers’ Association
(PAFLA) Ibrahim Amin.

 Pakistan’s freelancing community is on the verge of a major
milestone, with earnings expected to exceed $1 billion annually, and
the number of freelancers increasing from 2.3 million to beyond in the
coming months, he added.

 The country’s young, tech-savvy freelancers are driving digital
growth, supported by initiatives from PAFLA, Innovista, Pakistan
Software Export Board (PSEB), and 1Link, which are key steps forward
in nurturing an evolving ecosystem that connects talent with
innovation, fueling the country’s digital transformation, he said.

Speaking as a keynote speaker, Tahir Malik, Project Director Innovista
Indus  said the Innovista is working to enhance facilitation to
entrepreneurship to freelancers nationwide through various training
programs, mentorship, and assistance on tax-related issues.

 Innovista launched National Agentic AI Hackathon to invite 1000
participants from six cities that will Our mission is to make
freelancing a competitive and sustainable way of earning foreign
exchange that contributes directly to IT exports and livelihoods
nationwide.

 Muhammad Shahzab from 1Link emphasized the importance of a reliable
digital financial ecosystem for facilitating important players of the
economy, including freelancers.

“We are working at 1Link to build a seamless payment infrastructure
that empowers freelancers by enabling fast, transparent, and seamless
payments to strengthen Pakistan’s freelance economy and empower
professionals to compete globally,” he added.


With Pakistan already ranking among the top five freelancing markets
worldwide, stakeholders believe targeted policies, training, financial
integration, and support from innovation platforms such as Innovista
will enable the sector to scale significantly in the years ahead.


The summit was addressed by various AI experts and renowned AI
mentors, including Imran Ali Dina, Khadija Shahzad, Hassan Bin
Liaquat, Ammara Aftab, and Fahad Shaikh.

 A panel discussion was also held on freelancing in the age of AI.