Pakistani Freelancers Set a New Monthly Earnings Record
In September 2026, Pakistani freelancers
brought in a record $197 million in export receipts—the highest monthly figure
the country has recorded. This inflow raised total earnings for the first
quarter of fiscal year 2026–27 (July to September) to approximately $550
million.
According to figures shared by Khurram
Schehzad, Adviser to the Finance Minister, September’s earnings were 11% higher
than August’s and 49% higher than September 2025. First-quarter earnings rose
46% compared with the same period last year.
Schehzad said the expanding freelance economy
was helping convert the country’s young digital talent into export earnings and
non-debt foreign exchange income.
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A Steady Rise Since July
The record follows a strong start to the
fiscal year. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data show that freelancers earned
$175.44 million in July and a combined $352 million in July and August.
During FY2025–26, Pakistani freelancers earned
a total of $1.76 billion.
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Freelance receipts also represent a
substantial portion of Pakistan’s IT and services exports. IT exports reached
$435 million in September, their second-highest monthly level on record.
Why More Pakistanis Are Turning to Freelancing
