Hope for Pakistan
Hope for Pakistan: Poverty is rising in Pakistan. Many people cannot meet their daily needs. The World Bank says Pakistan needs 30 million jobs in the next ten years. Without jobs, the country may face instability and migration. Creating these jobs is not easy. Major industries, especially manufacturing, are growing slowly.
Freelance Growth
Despite these problems, Pakistan’s IT and services sectors are growing. Freelancers are driving this progress. Government data shows that freelancers earned $557 million in foreign exchange in the first half of the current fiscal year. Pakistan is now among the world’s top five freelancing countries. More than 2.3 million freelancers are working across the country. They are earning income and building global trust in Pakistani youth.
Digital Success
Experts believe this sector can earn more than $1 billion each year. Freelancers have achieved this success through skill and hard work. Most of them received little support. Their success shows the power of the digital economy. However, this sector is still developing in Pakistan.
Government Support
The government should support freelancers more actively. It should build training and incubation centres across the country. These centres can improve skills and create new opportunities. The government should also support startups and reward successful freelancers.
Global Lessons
Countries like Bangladesh and China already support their freelancers. Pakistan can learn from them. The government should also bring PayPal to Pakistan and offer tax relief. These steps can create jobs, reduce poverty, and strengthen the economy.
Published in Dawn, 5th May 2026
