Pakistani freelancers earned a record $197 million from export services in September 2026, the highest monthly amount on record, taking their total earnings in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27 to around $550 million.

According to figures shared by Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad, September receipts increased 11 percent from August and 49 percent compared with September 2025. Earnings during July to September were also 46 percent higher than in the same period last year.

Schehzad said Pakistan’s expanding freelance economy was turning the skills of young digital workers into export revenue and non-debt foreign exchange earnings.

Freelance Earnings Rise in First Quarter

The latest figures extend the strong start to the current fiscal year. Pakistani freelancers earned $175.44 million in July, while receipts for July and August combined reached approximately $352 million, according to State Bank of Pakistan data.

For the full fiscal year 2025-26, freelance export earnings totaled $1.76 billion.

The growth comes alongside rising demand for Pakistan’s broader technology services. IT exports reached $435 million in September, marking their second-highest monthly level on record.

Limited Jobs Push More Workers Toward Freelancing

Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin said the increase reflected the growing participation of Pakistani digital workers in the international freelance market.

He said limited job opportunities in the domestic market were encouraging IT graduates and other professionals to seek work from overseas clients.

Freelancing allows these workers to earn foreign currency while supporting their households and contributing to Pakistan’s economy.

Amin added that further investment in professional training, skills development, and support services could help the country expand its presence in the global digital economy and increase export earnings in the coming years.