A new report from Ignite National Technology Fund shows that nearly half of freelancers are under 30, raising fresh questions about how quickly the sector can scale.
Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for the Federal Board of Revenue said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.
Still, questions remain about long-term sustainability. Margins in the logistics business are thin, and customer acquisition costs have risen sharply since 2022.
A closer look at the numbers
Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's healthtech sector grew 30% last year, according to the Pakistan Software Export Board, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.
"Students who learn to work with AI tools today will define the workforce of 2035."
Omar Farooq, security researcher at Bykea
Analysts at PTCL estimate that the addressable market could be worth $200 million by 2028, driven by a young population and rising smartphone ownership.
The bigger picture
Investors remain cautiously optimistic. Total venture funding into Pakistani startups reached $20 million in Q4 2025, the strongest quarter since 2020.
Key points
- Rollout begins in Lahore and Hyderabad before expanding nationwide
- Regulatory approval from Ignite National Technology Fund still pending
- Pricing to remain unchanged until at least September
- Competitors including Systems Limited are expected to respond within months
The numbers tell part of the story. Freelancers in Pakistan brought in $500 million in Q1 2025, and the country remains one of the largest suppliers of online talent in the world.
The move comes as regulators tighten oversight. the Pakistan Software Export Board issued new guidelines in September requiring companies to store customer data locally and to report security incidents within 72 hours.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
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