The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has constituted a dedicated task force focused on Industry Data Collection, with the objective of enabling better support systems for IT companies and freelancers through a series of targeted measures. This initiative is expected to enhance export income by streamlining processes, collecting accurate industry data, and facilitating formal financial inflows.
The task force will undertake a digital mapping of Pakistan’s freelance and remote working community, as well as software firms. This will include tracking credentials, income levels, export contributions, and global outreach to build a clearer understanding of the industry’s scope and impact. A central goal is to bring structure and transparency to a sector that has seen rapid growth but remains largely under-mapped.
A Digital Economy Cell will be introduced to simplify the regulatory environment, helping companies and freelancers with international marketing and client acquisition while reducing bureaucratic hurdles. The task force is also focused on clearly separating the classification of freelancers and remote workers to eliminate confusion in taxation policies and help encourage formal foreign currency inflows through the banking system.
To support the development of talent, the task force will facilitate initiatives such as free training programs, access to co-working spaces, mentorship, and cost-free certification for digital professionals. These efforts are designed to raise the skill levels of Pakistan’s digital workforce, making them more competitive in the international market.
IT companies and freelancers will also be eligible for additional incentives based on verified data. These include annual performance-linked rewards, free credits for officially remitted earnings, and participation in marketing and networking events both domestically and abroad. The government aims to build a system where export performance is closely tied to tangible support and benefits, creating a results-driven framework for IT growth.
Chairman Pakistan Freelancers Association Ibrahim Amin highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that this data-backed framework will give the country’s digital economy much-needed visibility and scalability. He estimated that, if implemented efficiently, these reforms could potentially double Pakistan’s IT exports in five years and elevate the country among the top five global freelance markets.
The task force was formed on the directive of the Prime Minister and is chaired by the Federal Minister for IT and Telecom. Its members include Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jamil Ahmed, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Chairman Pakistan Freelancers Association Ibrahim Amin, Secretary Ministry of IT & Telecom Zarrar Hasham Khan, CEO PSEB Abu Bakar, Systems Ltd CEO Asif Peer, and CEO IGNITE Adeel Aijaz Shaikh.
Among the key recommendations from the working group is the extension of the current tax exemption for the IT and freelance sector, which is due to expire next year. The task force also proposed introducing incentive schemes similar to Roshan Digital Accounts to encourage inflows through official channels and reinforce the digital economy’s role in contributing foreign exchange earnings.
