Foreign exchange earnings up 50%
Pakistani freelancers are significantly increasing their contribution to the global freelancing market, recording more than 50 percent growth in foreign exchange earnings from services provided to international clients.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan, freelancers in computer and IT services earned $856 million by the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, compared with $567 million during the same period last year. The figures represent an increase of $289 million.
Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) chairman Ibrahim Amin said hundreds of thousands of individuals trained through public-sector programmes and non-governmental initiatives are entering the freelancing market every month, strengthening the country’s foreign exchange inflows. He noted that institutions such as the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, the Pakistan Software Export Board and the Special Investment Facilitation Council are playing a critical role in building a supportive ecosystem for freelancers.
Internet disruptions a drag
Amin warned that persistent internet slowdowns are negatively affecting the productivity of freelancers and online workers, despite their growing contribution to the economy. He urged the government and internet service providers to ensure uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity nationwide to support Pakistan’s expanding digital economy.
He said slow and unstable internet services, combined with frequent electricity outages, have worsened working conditions for freelancers, with many professionals struggling to meet project deadlines — which can harm their platform rankings and professional credibility. Gig economy workers are also facing income losses because of poor connectivity, he added.
A major internet service provider recently carried out maintenance work on a submarine cable for nearly a week, affecting internet speeds and service quality nationwide. To address recurring connectivity problems, Amin suggested introducing satellite-based internet solutions to provide reliable access and reduce disruptions caused by submarine cable faults.
According to the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan is home to more than 2.37 million freelancers, placing the country among the leading nations globally in terms of freelance workforce size. Amin expressed optimism that the future rollout of 5G technology will significantly improve internet speeds, boosting productivity for freelancers, content creators and other online professionals across Pakistan.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 2026-04-20.
- ProPakistani — Here's How Much Pakistani Freelancers Earned in 9 Months of FY26Published 20 April 2026 · The State Bank's $856m figure for computer and IT services in 9MFY26, PAFLA chairman Ibrahim Amin's remarks on internet disruptions and satellite connectivity, and the Asian Development Bank estimate of 2.37 million freelancers.
