Pakistan has nearly 3 million full-time and part-time freelancers who earned more than $1.76 billion through digital services during the last financial year, Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi said.
Addressing the first National Recognition Ceremony organised by the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), Hashmi described freelancers as an emerging digital workforce and an important source of foreign exchange for Pakistan.
He said Pakistan’s large youth population could play a major role in the country’s economic future if equipped with modern IT skills, entrepreneurship and market-oriented training.
Hashmi said the federal government, in collaboration with the Governor House, was implementing skill-development initiatives for Sindh’s youth to improve their employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
He also highlighted the government’s target of increasing Pakistan’s IT exports to $25 billion by 2030. He urged young people to develop skills aligned with emerging technologies and compete in international markets.
The governor also urged youth to use the Digital Youth Hub, launched under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, for opportunities in education, skills, employment and entrepreneurship.
Minister of State and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Fahd Haroon said the government was supporting initiatives aimed at expanding freelancing and increasing youth participation in the digital economy.
PAFLA President and CEO Dr. Imran Batada said skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics and cybersecurity would become increasingly important as technology changes the nature of work.
At the ceremony, Governor Hashmi presented shields to 45 Pakistani freelancers in recognition of their international work and contribution to the country’s digital economy.
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