PAFLA, NIC to promote entrepreneurship

The Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) and the National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote entrepreneurship and provide mentorship opportunities for freelancers and startups across the country. According to a statement released on Friday, the strategic partnership aims to empower young entrepreneurs with guidance, training, and resources to help them build sustainable businesses in the growing digital economy.

Under the agreement, PAFLA and NIC Karachi will work together on initiatives including entrepreneurial boot camps, mentorship sessions, capacity-building workshops, and networking events designed to nurture innovation and business growth. The partnership also seeks to create a vital bridge between freelancers and emerging startups, enabling knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and access to broader opportunities in both local and international markets, the statement added.

At the signing ceremony, Ibrahim Amin, Chairman of PAFLA, said the collaboration marked a new milestone for Pakistan's freelance and entrepreneurial ecosystem. "By joining hands with NIC Karachi, we aim to transform freelancers into entrepreneurs and job creators. Our focus is to empower the youth with the right mentorship, tools, and exposure to thrive in today's competitive digital landscape," he said.

According to available estimates, there are over 2.37 million freelancers in Pakistan who collectively earned more than $500 million from foreign clients, in addition to millions generated from local markets. This growing freelance sector has become a key part of the country's digital economy.

On the occasion, Azfar Hussain, Director of NIC Karachi, said the collaboration will build on NIC's mission to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.