February 25, 2026
Between July and December 2025, 2.37 million Pakistani freelancers generated $557 million in overseas earnings, marking a 58% increase compared to the same period last year. The figures highlight the country’s growing position as one of the world’s leading freelancing hubs and underscore the expanding role of digital services in Pakistan’s export economy.
Freelancers across major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Multan are delivering services in software development, AI data training, cloud infrastructure, UI/UX design, cybersecurity, and graphic design. These skill sets are increasingly competitive on a global scale, allowing Pakistani professionals to secure international contracts without relocating abroad.
Policy reforms have played a significant role in this growth. The State Bank of Pakistan now allows freelancers to retain 50% of their earnings in US dollars, a move aimed at encouraging reinvestment and reducing capital flight. Additionally, IT professionals registered with the Pakistan Software Export Board benefit from a 0.25% withholding tax, providing a structured incentive for formal participation in the digital economy.
The Ministry of IT and Telecom has also focused on expanding digital infrastructure and skills development through initiatives such as DigiSkills. Efforts to modernize payment channels, including collaborations with blockchain-enabled platforms, are helping streamline cross-border transactions and improve financial accessibility for freelancers.
The broader IT sector reflects similar momentum. Pakistan’s total IT exports reached $2.61 billion in the first seven months of FY26, with January contributing $374 million. At the current pace, freelance earnings alone could exceed $1 billion by the end of the fiscal year, potentially pushing overall IT exports to $4.5 billion.
The government’s Uraan Pakistan initiative targets $10 billion in IT exports by FY29. Achieving this will depend on sustained broadband expansion, advanced training in AI and cybersecurity, and continued policy stability to support the country’s growing digital workforce.
