Pakistan Freelancers Set to Cross $1 Billion Annual Earnings, Say Experts

Photo by Faizur Rehman on Unsplash

Pakistan’s freelancing industry is on track to generate over $1 billion in annual earnings, thanks to growing digital skills, strong institutional backing, and expanding global opportunities, experts said at the AI Beyond Border Summit 2025, held during the 26th ITCN Asia in Karachi.

Industry leaders highlighted that the freelancing community is becoming a cornerstone of Pakistan’s digital economy, attracting international clients and contributing valuable foreign exchange. With over 2.3 million freelancers, the country is already ranked among the top five global freelancing markets.

Chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers’ Association (PAFLA), Ibrahim Amin, said coordinated efforts from government, industry, and financial institutions are helping freelancers thrive.

“Young, tech-savvy professionals are driving digital growth, creating opportunities not only for themselves but also for women and youth across Pakistan,” he added.

Several initiatives are fueling this growth. PAFLA, Innovista, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and 1Link are providing training, mentorship, tax guidance, and payment solutions to strengthen the ecosystem.

Tahir Malik, Project Director at Innovista Indus, shared that Innovista is supporting freelancers through training programs, mentorship, and entrepreneurship development. The platform also launched the National Agentic AI Hackathon, engaging 1,000 participants from six cities, to boost innovation and competitiveness.

From the financial side, Muhammad Shahzab of 1Link stressed the importance of reliable payment systems.

“We are building seamless digital payment infrastructure that ensures fast, transparent, and secure transactions, enabling freelancers to compete globally,” he said.

The summit also featured renowned AI experts including Imran Ali Dina, Khadija Shahzad, Hassan Bin Liaquat, Ammara Aftab, and Fahad Shaikh, who discussed the role of AI in shaping the future of freelancing.

Stakeholders believe that with targeted policies, advanced training, and strong financial integration, Pakistan’s freelance sector will continue to scale and contribute significantly to IT exports and economic growth in the coming years.