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 leaders wish Saudi King Salman well after hospital admission for tests
- Pakistani PM and President express concern, pray for the King's swift recovery
- The official Saudi media has not shared the nature of the King’s visit to the hospital
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s prime minister and president on Friday expressed concern over the health of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, offering prayers and well wishes after state media said he had been admitted to hospital in Riyadh for medical examinations.
The Saudi Press Agency reported the King was undergoing medical tests at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, with no further information regarding the nature of the visit or his medical condition.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistanis held the Saudi King in high regard and were praying for his recovery.
“Deeply concerned by the news that Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is admitted in hospital for medical tests,” he said. “The people of Pakistan hold His Majesty in the highest esteem. We join our Saudi brothers and sisters in praying for His Majesty’s swift and complete recovery.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed his wishes, saying the entire Pakistani nation was praying for the Saudi King’s health and well-being, according to a statement issued by the presidency.
Pakistan has longstanding diplomatic and institutional ties with Saudi Arabia, and its leadership has consistently expressed deep respect for the Saudi royal family, particularly in view of the Kingdom’s religious significance and its role in the Muslim world.
