Pakistani Freelancers Earnings Hit $856 Million in Jul-Mar FY26. According to PAFLA chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Amin, persistent internet slowness has been causing difficulties for freelancers, particularly those contributing positively to the economy by earning foreign currency and reducing unemployment in the country.
KARACHI: The contribution of Pakistani freelancers is increasing to the economy significantly, with over $800 million inflows of foreign exchange received by the country during the three quarter of the current financial year 2025-26.
Surge in Pakistani Freelancers Earnings
According to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), freelancers of computer and IT services fetched $856 million by the end of third quarter of the current financial year 2025-26 as compared to $567 million reported in a similar period of the last financial year, showing a handsome 50% growth or $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. 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.
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According to PAFLA chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Amin, persistent internet slowness has been causing difficulties for freelancers, particularly those contributing positively to the economy by earning foreign currency and reducing unemployment in the country.
He called upon the government and ISPs to provide consistent and fast internet services all around the country in order to sustain the country’s digital economy, which includes freelancers as well.
This has led many freelance workers to lose their ability to complete work within the deadline allotted for tasks assigned by their clients.
The Asian Development Bank estimates that there are 2.37 million freelancers in Pakistan, which ranks Pakistan among the nations with the largest number of freelancers globally.
Moreover, Amin emphasized that many other workers within the gig economy, such as the ones working as cab providers and food delivery boys, are encountering the same problem, which hampers their income as well as the earning capacity of their industries.
Notably, a prominent internet service provider declared a submarine cable maintenance process, which lasted almost a week and slowed down the entire Internet connection across the nation.
Therefore, Amin suggested that the government launch satellite internet services as a possible option for reliable internet services.
“The Chairman of PAFLA believes that there is great hope for the speed of the Internet to increase through the implementation of the new 5G technology,” said PAFLA Chairman.
