Latest news with #PAFLA
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Empowering freelancers: PAFLA, Innovista forge partnership
KARACHI: The Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), the national-level representative body of freelancers, and Innovista, a National Initiative of SIFC for collaborative workspaces and innovative platforms, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at creating transformative opportunities, including capacity building and business collaboration more than 50,000 freelancers every year across Pakistan. This landmark collaboration is set to reshape the freelance ecosystem through capacity building, digital infrastructure, and policy advocacy, paving the way for freelancers to play an even more critical role in the national economy. Key initiatives under the PAFLA-Innovista partnership, including the launch of nationwide freelancers training bootcamps, access to co-working and co-learning space at Innovista, creating awareness campaigns on freelancing rights, taxation, and global platforms, and on boarding of the freelancers at Innovista, etc. On this development, Ibrahim Amin, Chairman of PAFLA has said that freelancers are no longer just a side segment of the workforce; they are front and centre in Pakistan's digital economy with more than $500million contribution to bring in foreign exchange in Pakistan. He informed that this partnership with Innovista aligns perfectly with the mission to empower freelancers, advocate for policy reforms, and ensure their contributions are formally recognized in Pakistan's economic framework. 'Freelancers are helping bridge foreign exchange gaps and creating self-sufficiency across sectors, as they deserve infrastructure and recognition at par with traditional sectors,' he added. Pakistan has emerged as one of the top five countries contributing to the international gig workforce with strength of around 2.37 million and increasing across the country, he further said. CEO Innovista Hasham Sarwar said that the PAFLA-Innovista partnership is focused on providing training, technology access, financial literacy, and global client connectivity to unlock the full potential of Pakistan's freelancers, aiming to enhance employability and position Pakistan on a global stage. Through this partnership, Innovista will deploy its digital tools, learning modules, and community engagement resources to create an inclusive environment for Pakistani freelancers, especially women and youth in underserved regions, he said. The PAFLA has registered more than 0.1 million freelancers as members' community with its significant representation across the country. The association was taken organised 35 seminars and 25 training sessions, including with Google Inc. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Freelance services: annual foreign exchange inflows may reach $500m in Pakistan
KARACHI: Annual foreign exchange inflows from freelance services are rapidly growing and expected to reach $500 million in the current fiscal year (FY25), marking a significant contribution to the national exchequer. As the global nature of work undergoes rapid transformation, Pakistan is witnessing a powerful surge in the freelancing economy. With over 70 percent of its population under 30, the country is fast becoming a hub for digital talent. Ibrahim Amin, Chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) has emphasised the critical role freelancers now play in Pakistan's economic stabilisation, especially in the face of recurring trade and currency imbalances. Minister meets freelancers and content creators 'These aren't just individual success stories. This is sustainable, scalable foreign income entering Pakistan without factories, raw materials, or traditional exports. It's smart economics,' he added. He said that PAFLA fully supporting the freelancers to contribute in the economic growth and is also in dialogue with federal and provincial governments to shape national policy frameworks. These include proposals for tax incentives, simplified account registration, lower transaction fees on remittances, and legal protections for freelancers, he added. Powered by the digital revolution, increased internet access, and global freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and tens of thousands of Pakistanis now offer services worldwide, from the US and UK to the Middle East and Europe. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, freelance exports officially brought in over $400 million in the last fiscal year, poised to grow as more youth join the remote workforce. 'With the current pace of growth, we are expecting that freelance exports will cross $500 million during this fiscal year', Amin said and added 'These inflows support thousands of households while strengthening Pakistan's global digital reputation across IT, design, digital marketing, and content development sectors.' Despite this momentum, Amin pointed out several structural challenges, chief among them being the lack of access to international payment gateways like PayPal, unclear taxation policies, and the absence of freelancer-centric banking products. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Freelance services: Annual foreign exchange inflows may reach $500m
KARACHI: Annual foreign exchange inflows from freelance services are rapidly growing and expected to reach $500 million in the current fiscal year (FY25), marking a significant contribution to the national exchequer. As the global nature of work undergoes rapid transformation, Pakistan is witnessing a powerful surge in the freelancing economy. With over 70 percent of its population under 30, the country is fast becoming a hub for digital talent. Ibrahim Amin, Chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) has emphasised the critical role freelancers now play in Pakistan's economic stabilisation, especially in the face of recurring trade and currency imbalances. Minister meets freelancers and content creators 'These aren't just individual success stories. This is sustainable, scalable foreign income entering Pakistan without factories, raw materials, or traditional exports. It's smart economics,' he added. He said that PAFLA fully supporting the freelancers to contribute in the economic growth and is also in dialogue with federal and provincial governments to shape national policy frameworks. These include proposals for tax incentives, simplified account registration, lower transaction fees on remittances, and legal protections for freelancers, he added. Powered by the digital revolution, increased internet access, and global freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and tens of thousands of Pakistanis now offer services worldwide, from the US and UK to the Middle East and Europe. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, freelance exports officially brought in over $400 million in the last fiscal year, poised to grow as more youth join the remote workforce. 'With the current pace of growth, we are expecting that freelance exports will cross $500 million during this fiscal year', Amin said and added 'These inflows support thousands of households while strengthening Pakistan's global digital reputation across IT, design, digital marketing, and content development sectors.' Despite this momentum, Amin pointed out several structural challenges, chief among them being the lack of access to international payment gateways like PayPal, unclear taxation policies, and the absence of freelancer-centric banking products. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
