Pakistani freelancers earned more than $950 million in foreign exchange during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.
During the period from July 2025 to April 2026, Pakistani freelancers outperformed their counterparts in India, China, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), export earnings generated through freelancing in the computer and information services sector reached $959 million during July-April, compared to $642 million recorded during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
This reflects a year-on-year increase of 49%, equivalent to an additional $317 million in export income.
Pakistan Freelancers Association President and CEO Dr. Imran Batada said the growth in freelancers’ earnings was driven by the increasing participation of Pakistani professionals on global freelancing platforms, including Upwork, Fiverr, and various social media platforms.
Dr. Batada said that awareness about freelancing has increased significantly in Pakistan over the past few years, encouraging a large number of individuals to acquire digital skills through online learning platforms, private institutions, government training programs, and initiatives launched by various NGOs.
