Pakistan will honor its highest-performing freelancers for the first time after the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) introduced a dedicated Top Freelancer Award as part of the PSEB IT Export Awards 2026.
The initiative comes after Pakistani freelancers generated more than $1.1 billion in export earnings during FY2025-26, contributing significantly to the country’s record $4.6 billion in IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports. PSEB said the award is intended to acknowledge the growing role of freelancers in strengthening Pakistan’s digital economy and boosting export revenues.
PSEB has invited registered freelancers to submit nominations for the new award. To qualify, applicants must have received export remittances through formal banking channels and provide Proceeds Realisation Certificates (PRCs) under the relevant export codes covering the period from July 2025 to June 2026. They must also submit an undertaking confirming the authenticity of the information and supporting documents.
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Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin welcomed the move, saying it formally recognizes the contribution of freelancers to the national economy while encouraging more digital professionals to enhance their skills, secure international clients, and increase export earnings.
He also called on the government to help successful freelancers scale into startups and facilitate their participation in leading international technology exhibitions and business events to promote Pakistani talent and attract global business opportunities.
According to Amin, Pakistan is home to nearly three million freelancers, with thousands of students expected to join the country’s digital workforce in the coming months. He said honoring top performers would motivate the next generation to pursue careers in the digital economy.
Nominations for the awards will remain open until August 2026. In addition to the new Top Freelancer Award, the PSEB IT Export Awards 2026 will recognize excellence across six other categories, including IT Exporter Awards, Startup Growth Awards, Women-Led Growth Awards, International Business Contract Awards, Domestic Business Awards, and Industry Growth Awards.
