Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) marked its second anniversary with key initiatives that reflect Pakistan’s expanding digital economy, most notably the operational launch of PayPal services for freelancers. This development is part of a broader set of reforms and projects led by SIFC aimed at enhancing digital financial accessibility, strengthening the freelance community, and promoting IT sector growth nationwide.
The PayPal service for Pakistani freelancers was initiated earlier this year as a pilot program involving 10,000 participants. Through this system, freelancers can receive international payments via PayPal without needing to open individual PayPal accounts. The payment process is facilitated through an intermediary arrangement, where funds from clients abroad are securely transferred to local bank accounts in Pakistan. The model simplifies the payment experience, improves financial access, and supports international business engagement, particularly for freelancers who previously lacked viable options for global transactions.
Alongside this milestone, SIFC has activated 43 IT parks across various regions, with additional major facilities under construction in Islamabad and Karachi. These parks are tailored to support Pakistan’s growing tech ecosystem by offering co-working spaces, business incubation, training centers, and other modern infrastructure resources needed by startups, developers, and small IT enterprises. These centers aim to foster digital entrepreneurship and help scale innovation in both urban and emerging markets.
SIFC has also launched more than 10,000 E-Rozgar centers with the objective of empowering at least 50,000 freelancers annually. These centers serve as accessible platforms for digital training, mentorship, and access to work opportunities, addressing unemployment while contributing to Pakistan’s digital labor force.
As part of broader collaboration under the Digital Pakistan framework, global companies including Google, Microsoft, and Cisco have increased their investment in Pakistan’s IT and telecom sectors. This surge in international engagement has helped drive national IT exports beyond $3.2 billion. Complementing these advancements is a five-year technology transfer agreement signed with China, aimed at fostering industrial innovation, research collaboration, and upskilling of the local workforce.
To streamline international payments for tech professionals, the government has introduced foreign currency accounts tailored for IT companies and freelancers. Additionally, a 50 percent dollar retention policy is in effect, allowing eligible individuals and firms to retain a portion of their foreign earnings in dollars. This measure is designed to facilitate smoother international transactions and encourage further export-led growth in the tech sector.
With over 1.5 million active freelancers and a national push for digital infrastructure, SIFC’s initiatives are steadily positioning Pakistan as a competitive digital economy. The introduction of PayPal services, expansion of IT infrastructure, and integration of global partners indicate progress toward strengthening Pakistan’s digital inclusion and connectivity on an international scale.
