ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s freelance community has reached a historic milestone, generating a record $1.6 billion in export earnings and further cementing the country’s position as a rising force in the global digital economy.

Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad, in a post on X, hailed the achievement in a social media post, describing it as a landmark moment for Pakistan’s digital transformation journey.

He said the country’s freelancers had crossed the “historic $1.6 billion” mark, calling it a testament to the talent, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of Pakistani youth.

Schehzad further said that freelancers earned a total of $169 million during May this year. He termed it a huge achievement for the country.

The achievement reflects the rapid growth of Pakistan’s technology sector and the increasing demand for Pakistani professionals' services in international markets.

The latest figures show a remarkable surge in foreign exchange earnings from freelancers, driven by professionals working in software development, graphic design, digital marketing, content creation, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and other technology-related fields.

The milestone underscores the growing contribution of the freelance sector to Pakistan’s exports and economic growth.

Record-breaking performance

Schehzad added that the achievement highlights the expanding role of the digital economy in strengthening Pakistan’s export base and foreign exchange earnings.

He went on to say that freelancers working in technology-related fields earned a total of $1.06 billion for the country, while non-tech freelancers brought foreign exchange worth $533 million.

Industry experts say the sector has witnessed exceptional growth over the past year, supported by improved digital infrastructure, increasing global outsourcing opportunities, and a growing number of skilled professionals entering online marketplaces.

Earlier reports had already indicated that freelance earnings were on track to cross the billion-dollar threshold, with receipts rising sharply during the current fiscal year.

The record-breaking performance is being viewed as a strong endorsement of Pakistan’s digital potential.

Analysts believe continued investment in digital skills, fintech solutions, and technology infrastructure could help the country further expand its footprint in the global freelance marketplace while creating new employment opportunities for young Pakistanis.

Freelancing in Pakistan

Freelancing in Pakistan began gaining momentum with wider internet access and the spread of global digital platforms, enabling young professionals to sell skills beyond local markets.

Over the past decade, websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer opened doors for Pakistani talent in software development, graphic design, content writing, digital marketing and e-commerce.

The sector evolved from a side income to a major part of the digital economy, creating jobs and bringing foreign exchange.

Studies note freelancers generated about $396 million in export revenue in FY2021-22, reflecting their growing role in employment, income, and Pakistan’s future digital exports and growth.

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Pakistan’s freelance exports hit record $1.6B, marking major digital economy milestone