Experts call for national roadmap to expand Pakistan’s freelance workforce

Pakistan’s IT experts and industry representatives are urging the government and private sector to prepare a national roadmap for growing the country’s freelance workforce. Pakistan Freelancers Association Chairman Ibrahim Amin said training in emerging technologies, communication and business development could help freelancers compete internationally and secure more work. Pakistan has an estimated three million freelancers.

Freelancers’ export receipts reached nearly $550 million in the first quarter of FY27, up 46% year on year, according to figures cited in Business Recorder’s report. SBP data put IT-related freelance receipts at $333 million, a rise of around 22%, while non-IT receipts grew 106% to $215 million. Si Global’s CEO said the workforce could reach four million within a year if a national plan and public-private cooperation support skills and digital entrepreneurship.