Freelancers Community Sargodha (FLCS) will host SHAPE’26, a one day conference on freelancing, technology and artificial intelligence, at Sargodha Arts Council on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The event will run from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is described by the organisers as the largest gathering of its kind in Sargodha. It is organised by FLCS under the leadership of Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), and its tagline, SHARE, HIRE, ADAPT, PARTNER, EMPOWER, sums up the aim of connecting freelancers, founders, students and hiring managers in one place. More than 5,000 attendees, around 40 speakers and over 29 partners are expected, and free tickets are available through the official SHAPE’26 website, where visitors can also see the full speaker list and details for sponsors. The community behind the event already counts more than 3,000 members, and the conference gives them a chance to meet in person after working mostly through online groups.
A strong line up of chief guests has been announced. They include Sajid Latif, Director General of Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB); Prof Dr Tasawur Hayat, Vice Chancellor of University of Sargodha; Wahab Yunus, Senior Vice Chairman of PASHA; Qaiser Kharal, President of Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mian Tariq Yaqoob, Chairman of Founder Group; and Ibrahim Amin, Chairman of PAFLA. The keynote speakers include Imran Ali Dina, founder of GFX Mentor, who has 3.6 million subscribers on YouTube; M Tanveer Nandla, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of iSkills; and Irfan Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Xeven Solutions. Other speakers come from software companies, digital agencies, universities and startups, and an official from Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) will also take part. Professors from University of Lahore and Superior University are on the programme as well, which adds an academic view to a schedule that is otherwise focused on industry.
The organisers have built the programme around eight reasons to attend. Networking is one of them, with freelancers, founders and hiring managers meeting face to face, while learning sessions led by industry figures will cover freelancing, AI and the building of global careers. Visitors will also see tools, platforms and companies that are shaping the future of tech work, and they can look for co-founders, teammates and partners for their own projects. Career growth is another focus, with companies, agencies and mentors present on the day, and hands on AI sessions will offer practical frameworks for staying current as the technology develops. Success stories from people who began in similar circumstances and went on to work with international clients are meant to inspire younger attendees, and an expo area with stalls will present brands, tools and services that support freelancers and entrepreneurs.
SHAPE’26 has drawn backing from a wide range of sponsors and partners, among them United Bank Limited (UBL), Sitco, Softileo, Webscare, Mawktech Space, Hero Solutions, Wixpa and Digital Agencies Alliance Pakistan. Companies that want to reach freelancers, students and young professionals can still apply for Title, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Expo partnerships. For questions about tickets or sponsorship, the organisers can be reached at info@flcs.pk or on +92 328 623 3581. By bringing together speakers, employers and learners under one roof, the conference aims to give people in Sargodha and nearby cities a clear picture of how they can build careers in freelancing and technology in the age of AI.
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