Amir Saeed

Freelancers significantly boost Pakistan’s foreign exchange through ICT exports, supported by the government initiatives and growing infrastructure for digital entrepreneurship.

The Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights the growing significance of freelancers in boosting the country’s foreign exchange earnings and underscores the expanding potential of Pakistan’s ICT sector.

The ICT industry, comprising over 30,000 registered IT and IT-enabled services companies, achieved exports of $2.825 billion during the July-March period of FY2025, marking a growth of nearly 24 percent compared to the previous year.

This sector recorded a trade surplus of $2.429 billion, the highest among all service sectors, while the overall services sector faced a trade deficit. Freelancers contributed approximately $400 million in remittances during this period, reflecting their vital role in the digital economy.

Government initiatives have been instrumental in this growth trajectory. The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) supported hundreds of IT companies to participate in international events, generating millions in new businesses.

Campaigns like TechdestiNation Pakistan have helped rebrand the country as a global IT hub, targeting key markets such as the UAE, USA, and the UK with the aim to increase exports substantially.

Infrastructure development includes more than 50 Software Technology Parks and e-Rozgaar centers across the country, providing facilities and training to thousands of IT professionals, including a notable percentage of women. The government plans to expand these centers further to promote freelancing and entrepreneurship, aiming to create tens of thousands of jobs.

Human resource development remains the core focus, with thousands of professionals trained in advanced technologies and soft skills, and many interns placed in IT firms with high retention rates. This emphasis on skill-building enhances Pakistan’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Talking to WealthPK, Ghulam Rehman, President of the Gilgit-Baltistan Freelancers Association (GBFA), emphasized the need for sustained supportive policies, including extending favorable tax regimes for freelancers and introducing incentives for those in underdeveloped regions.

He highlighted that freelancers are quietly powering the country’s digital economy and that with continued support, their contribution could grow significantly, potentially doubling foreign exchange earnings from this segment.

He added that freelancers are now a dynamic catalyst for innovation and global integration in the country’s ICT export landscape. He pointed out that the increasing engagement of Pakistani freelancers with international clients is not only diversifying the nation’s export portfolio but also fostering a culture of digital entrepreneurship and skill advancement.

Ghulam Rehman further asserted that by cultivating a supportive ecosystem and removing barriers to market entry, Pakistan can unlock new avenues for sustainable growth, empower youth participation in the digital economy, and establish itself as a leading exporter of IT talent on the world stage.

Credit: INP-WealthPk