PESHAWAR - the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan announced on Friday that it issued new consumer-protection guidelines, according to a statement released to reporters.
The numbers tell part of the story. Freelancers in Pakistan brought in $500 million in Q2 2026, and the country remains one of the largest suppliers of online talent in the world.
Several competitors have made similar bets. Retailo expanded into Multan earlier this year, while Intel has been quietly hiring engineers in Lahore and Islamabad.
Background
Universities are responding too. GIKI has added new courses in software exports, and enrolment in computer science programmes rose 15% this year.
"We are not chasing valuations any more. We are chasing profitability, and that is a healthier place to be."
Fahad Iqbal, managing partner at Jazz
Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for the National Incubation Center said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.
Winners and losers
Analysts at Arbisoft estimate that the addressable market could be worth $250 million by 2030, driven by a young population and rising smartphone ownership.
Key points
- Competitors including JazzCash are expected to respond within months
- Pricing to remain unchanged until at least December
- Rollout begins in Sialkot and Gujranwala before expanding nationwide
- Regulatory approval from NADRA still pending
The broader picture is one of steady growth. Internet penetration now exceeds 22% of the population, and mobile broadband subscriptions have more than doubled since 2020.
Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's logistics sector grew 8% last year, according to the Federal Board of Revenue, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
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