Freelancer exports cross $950 million

Freelancers outperform counterparts in India, China, UAE

KARACHI:

Pakistani freelancers earned more than $950 million in foreign exchange during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year despite multiple local and global challenges.

During the period from July 2025 to April 2026, Pakistani freelancers outperformed freelancers from India, China, the United Arab Emirates and several other countries.

According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), export earnings generated through freelancing in the computer and information services sector reached $959 million during July-April, compared to $642 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

This reflects an annual increase of 49% or $317 million.

Pakistan Freelancers Association CEO Dr Imran Batada said the increase in freelancers' income was made possible due to the growing participation of Pakistani freelancers on various freelancing platforms, including Upwork, Fiverr and social media platforms.

Dr Batada said awareness regarding freelancing had increased tremendously in Pakistan over the past several years, enabling a large number of individuals to acquire skills through online learning, private institutions, government training programmes and initiatives launched by various NGOs.

Dr Imran Batada is a five-time recipient of the Global CIO Award and has trained more than 25,000 freelancers. "Pakistan's freelancing community comprises nearly three million individuals. The government, banking sector and other stakeholders should work together to increase this number in an organised manner," he said.