Freelancers Pakistan’s future workforce: governor

According to Business Recorder, Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi described Pakistani freelancers as a growing digital workforce that contributes to the national economy, brings in foreign exchange and enhances the country's image abroad. He spoke as chief guest at the first National Recognition Ceremony staged by the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) in Karachi.

Freelancers working full-time or part-time number close to 3 million, and their digital services earnings topped US$1.76 billion in the last financial year, he said. He urged young people to sharpen skills tied to modern technologies so they could compete in the global marketplace, and he cited the prime minister's goal of raising IT exports to US$25 billion by 2030. When he asked the young participants whether they would help reach that target, they raised their hands and pledged support.

The Digital Youth Hub, launched under the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, offers education, skills and employment openings, while federal skill initiatives, run with the Governor's House, target Sindh youth. PAFLA chairman Ibrahim Amin called freelancers the nation's silent heroes, and president Dr Imran Batada said AI, data analytics and cybersecurity skills will be essential. Forty-five freelancers, including Sajid Jameel and Khadija Shehzad, received shields at the ceremony.