Freelancers Are the Future: Sindh Governor

Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi announced that Pakistan has approximately 3 million full-time and part-time freelancers who generated over $1.76 billion from digital services in the previous financial year. At the inaugural National Recognition Ceremony organized by the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), Hashmi emphasized freelancers as a burgeoning digital workforce and a significant contributor to Pakistan's foreign exchange earnings.

He highlighted the potential of Pakistan's youthful population in shaping the nation's economic trajectory, provided they receive modern IT skills, entrepreneurial education, and market-oriented training. Hashmi further disclosed that the federal government, in tandem with Governor House, is executing skill-development programs for Sindh's youth to enhance their employment prospects and entrepreneurial ventures.

He also disclosed the government's objective of elevating Pakistan's IT exports to $25 billion by 2030. Hashmi encouraged young individuals to acquire skills pertinent to emerging technologies, enabling them to compete in global markets. He also encouraged them to utilize the Digital Youth Hub, a platform established under the Prime Minister's Youth Program, for avenues in education, skill acquisition, employment, and entrepreneurship.

The Minister of State and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Fahd Haroon, informed that the government is backing initiatives geared towards broadening freelancing and increasing youthful engagement in the digital economy. Dr. Imran Batada, PAFLA President and CEO, stated that competencies in areas like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity would gain paramount importance as technology metamorphoses work.

At the ceremony, Governor Hashmi bestowed shields upon 45 Pakistani freelancers for their international contributions and to the country's digital economy.