Pakistani freelancers continue to make a significant contribution to the national economy, generating more than $175 million in foreign exchange during the first month of the current financial year.
According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), export receipts generated through freelance services rose to $175.439 million in July 2026, compared with $120.556 million in the same month last year, an increase of $54.883 million, or around 45.5%.
Freelancers’ earnings from I.T. services increased to $106.778 million in July 2026, while non-I.T. services generated $68.661 million. In July 2025, freelance earnings from I.T. services stood at $89.872 million, while non-I.T. services accounted for $30.684 million, according to SBP data.
Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin said freelance export receipts had maintained a steady growth trajectory, but the sector needed to sustain growth of more than 50% in the coming months to achieve a substantial increase by the end of the financial year.
He said freelancing offered one of the best opportunities for young people and students to earn income online, but they needed to acquire in-demand technical and soft skills, including business development, communication and client management, to compete effectively on international freelancing platforms.
Amin said the government and private sector had been working to provide skills development opportunities to young people and students, enabling them to acquire relevant skill sets and enter the digital workforce.
He said the announcement of separate freelancers’ awards by the Pakistan Freelancers Association and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) would also help recognize the contribution of freelancers and encourage more youth to pursue emerging opportunities in the digital economy. These initiatives would motivate students and young people to adopt freelancing and other forms of online work as viable sources of income while contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, he added.