KARACHI: Pakistan’s outgoing interim Minister for Information Technology, Umar Saif, delivered positive news to the country’s online freelancers on Saturday, saying they would be able to receive PayPal remittances directly into their bank accounts for services provided to international clients, starting this month.
Until now, the absence of PayPal in Pakistan created substantial hurdles for freelancers and small businesses by limiting their ability to easily and securely receive payments from abroad. The issue extended beyond individual freelancers, impacting the broader digital economy in Pakistan, which has attracted a significant number of young professionals to undertake Internet-based projects from abroad.
In the past, many of them had repeatedly urged the government to take measures ensuring that PayPal would extend its services to the country, facilitating their businesses. However, PayPal, the international payment company, refused to establish a presence in Pakistan, citing a lack of business opportunities and concerns regarding fraud and money laundering.
“Pakistan online freelancers will be able to receive PayPal remittances starting this month through a tri-party arrangement without needing to create a PayPal wallet,” the minister said in a social media post.
“The goal is to enable them to accept PayPal payments from their clients abroad through a third-party digital wallet, which will use an international remittance mechanism to remit the dollars to Pakistan, and instantly credit the freelancer’s bank account in Pakistan,” he added.
Saif said Pakistan’s central bank would permit freelancers to open accounts against their digital wallet, issue debit cards and create dollar accounts for them to be able to freely use their earnings.
“Freelancers will be able to register with PSEB [Pakistan Software Export Board] and will only have to pay a nominal 0.25 percent tax,” he said.
“Along with our plan to create 10,000 e-rozgaar [e-earning] centers, this will enable Pakistan to truly benefit from earning potential of our online freelancers,” he added.
PayPal remittances available to Pakistani freelancers from international clients starting this month – minister
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PayPal remittances available to Pakistani freelancers from international clients starting this month – minister
- PayPal does not have presence in Pakistan due to its concerns over financial frauds and issues of money laundering
- Freelancers urged the government in the past to take measures ensuring that PayPal extended its services to Pakistan
Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore
- Twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and require better airport infrastructure, navigation systems to land
- Pakistan Airports Authority says landing reflects its commitment to enhance aviation sector, strengthen infrastructure
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday that the New General Aviation Aerodrome achieved a significant milestone when it handled the landing of a twin-engine aircraft.
A twin-engine aircraft has two engines that provide it redundancy and increased performance compared to single-engine counterparts. These aircraft range from small twin-engine propeller planes to large commercial jetliners. The presence of multiple engines enhances safety by allowing the aircraft to continue flying in the event of an engine failure.
However, twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and more complex than single-engine planes. They require advanced airport infrastructure such as better runways, navigation systems and air traffic coordination.
“The New General Aviation Aerodrome, Lahore achieved another significant operational milestone today with the successful landing of a twin-engine aircraft, following the recent arrival of a single-engine aircraft,” the PAA said in a statement.
It said the flight was also boarded by Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, the director general of the PAA. The move reflected “strong institutional confidence” in the aerodrome’s safety standards, operational capability, and overall readiness, it added.
“The landing was conducted with exceptional precision and professionalism, demonstrating the aerodrome’s robust operational framework, technical preparedness, and effective airside coordination in accordance with contemporary aviation requirements,” the PAA said.
It said the landing represented a “major advancement” in Pakistan’s general aviation sector and underscores the PAA’s commitment to enhancing regional aviation capacity, strengthening infrastructure and promoting excellence in aviation development.
