KARACHI: Pakistan’s freelance workforce could boost its annual earnings beyond $1 billion if backed by stronger institutional support, better payment infrastructure and expanded training programs, the Pakistan Freelancers Association said on Thursday.

Pakistan is already ranked among the world’s top five freelancing markets, with more than 2.3 million active freelancers contributing to digital exports and employment.

Speaking at the “AI Beyond Border Summit 2025” at the 26th ITCN Asia conference in Karachi, stakeholders said the country’s rapidly growing freelance sector was poised to become a cornerstone of Pakistan’s digital economy, attracting global clients and generating vital foreign exchange if nurtured with targeted policies, skills development, and seamless digital payment systems.

“Pakistan’s freelancing community is on the verge of a major milestone, with earnings expected to exceed $1 billion annually,” said Ibrahim Amin, chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers’ Association (PAFLA). 

“Our freelancers are bringing foreign exchange, building global trust in Pakistani talent, and creating opportunities for themselves, fellow youngsters, and women.”

Amin said young, tech-savvy freelancers were driving the country’s digital growth, supported by initiatives from PAFLA, Innovista, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and 1Link. These initiatives, he added, were “key steps forward in nurturing an evolving ecosystem that connects talent with innovation, fueling the country’s digital transformation.”

Innovista is an innovation platform and ecosystem builder working to train freelancers, support startups, promote AI skills, and connect Pakistani talent with global opportunities.

Tahir Malik, project director at Innovista Indus, said the organization was expanding mentorship and training programs while assisting freelancers on tax-related issues. Innovista also launched a National Agentic AI Hackathon to engage 1,000 participants across six cities as part of efforts to make freelancing a “competitive and sustainable” source of foreign exchange and IT exports.

Financial infrastructure is another key factor in scaling the freelance economy, said Muhammad Shahzab from 1Link, which is building a seamless payment network to support independent workers.

“We are working at 1Link to build a seamless payment infrastructure that empowers freelancers by enabling fast, transparent, and secure payments,” Shahzab said. “This will strengthen Pakistan’s freelance economy and enable professionals to compete globally.”

Panel discussions at the summit also explored the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of freelance work and how Pakistan’s workforce can adapt to emerging technologies.