Why the new import policy could push phone prices higher

Executives say the move will accelerate growth, but analysts warn that regulation and infrastructure remain the biggest hurdles.

A new report from the State Bank of Pakistan 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 Special Technology Zones Authority said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.

Analysts at Retailo estimate that the addressable market could be worth $40 million by 2026, driven by a young population and rising smartphone ownership.

Why it matters

The move comes as regulators tighten oversight. the Special Technology Zones Authority issued new guidelines in August requiring companies to store customer data locally and to report security incidents within 72 hours.

"The talent is here. What has been missing is patient capital and predictable policy."
Rabia Ahmed, policy adviser at Dastgyr

The company said the initiative would create roughly 18 jobs over the next two years, most of them in Multan and Quetta. It did not disclose the size of the investment, but people familiar with the plans put the figure at between $18 million and $350 million.

How the deal came together

Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's freelancing sector grew 35% last year, according to NADRA, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.

Key points

Regulatory approval from Ignite National Technology Fund still pending
Funding round values the company at about $30 million
Competitors including Careem are expected to respond within months
Rollout begins in Multan and Sialkot before expanding nationwide

Employees will be offered training through a partnership with FAST-NUCES, the company said, with a focus on cloud engineering, data analysis and product management.

Security experts have urged users to enable two-factor authentication and to update their apps promptly, noting that attackers increasingly target mobile-first markets.

Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.