Pakistani freelancers earned $175.439 million in foreign exchange in July 2026, giving the new financial year a strong start. According to State Bank of Pakistan data, the amount was 45.5% higher than the $120.556 million earned in July 2025.
Freelance exports increased by $54.883 million over the year. Both IT and non-IT services recorded higher earnings during the month, showing continued growth in Pakistan’s digital workforce.
IT services earned $106.778 million in July 2026, compared with $89.872 million in the same month last year. Non-IT freelance services also recorded a significant increase, earning $68.661 million compared with $30.684 million in July 2025.
Ibrahim Amin, chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, said freelance exports had continued to grow steadily. However, he said the sector would need growth of more than 50% in the coming months to achieve a significant increase by the end of the financial year.
Amin also described freelancing as an important source of income for young people and students. He said freelancers need technical and soft skills, including communication, business development and client management, to compete in the global market.
The government and private sector are also working on skills development programs for young people. These efforts aim to help more people develop the skills needed to join Pakistan’s growing digital workforce.
PAFLA and the Pakistan Software Export Board have also launched the country’s first freelancers’ awards. The initiative will recognize freelancers’ contributions to the economy and encourage more young people to pursue digital work.
With freelance earnings showing strong growth in the first month of fiscal year 2026-27, the sector could become an increasingly important source of foreign exchange for Pakistan. Maintaining this momentum will be important for achieving stronger results by the end of the financial year.
