Pakistani freelancers earned a total of $352 million from online work during July and August 2026. This marks a solid 44 percent rise compared with the same two months of the previous year, according to official figures from the State Bank of Pakistan.
Most of the money came from information technology services, while non-IT work such as design, writing and other digital tasks also contributed a large share. The growth shows that more Pakistanis are finding clients on global freelancing websites and delivering services that the world needs.
Ibrahim Amin, chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, said local workers are learning new skills quickly, especially tools related to artificial intelligence. Many are now joining teams or running small agencies that offer several services at once. Training programmes run by the government, private firms and non-profit groups are helping young people build practical skills alongside their studies.
Amin expects the sector to keep growing and believes total freelance earnings could reach $2.5 billion by the end of the current financial year. Around three million people in Pakistan currently offer digital services to clients abroad, making freelancing an important source of foreign currency and jobs for the country’s youth.
Freelance Export Earnings – July-August 2026 (SBP data)
| Category | Amount (USD million) |
|---|---|
| Total freelance earnings | 352 |
| IT-related services | 212 |
| Non-IT services | 139 |
| Same period last year | 244 |
| Year-on-year growth | +44% |