Pakistan’s rapidly growing freelance economy is facing a serious setback due to recurring internet shutdowns and slowdowns. With over 2.3 million freelancers, Pakistan ranks among the top four countries in the world for freelance work. In the fiscal year 2023–24, freelancers contributed approximately $350 million to Pakistan’s economy, a 40% increase from the previous year. However, this momentum is now under threat as prolonged and unpredictable internet disruptions impact the ability of freelancers to deliver work on time, maintain client trust, and secure future projects.
Freelancers across the country, particularly in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have reported losing up to 70% of their work in recent months due to unstable internet. Many of these freelancers are young, educated individuals—students, women working from home, and early-career professionals—who rely entirely on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com for income. As connectivity issues persist, many international clients are either cancelling projects or shifting work to freelancers in other countries like India, the Philippines, or Bangladesh, where digital infrastructure is more stable.
The crisis has deepened with reports that global freelancing platforms have started taking precautionary measures. Fiverr, for example, has made many Pakistani freelancer accounts “unavailable” in search results after clients complained about delayed responses and missed deadlines. While this may protect the platform’s reputation, it has caused panic among Pakistani freelancers who fear losing long-standing clients and credibility. Some freelancers report receiving fewer job invites and lower ratings due to connectivity delays beyond their control, fueling concerns that Pakistan is becoming a less trusted freelancing destination.
The financial cost to the broader economy is also significant. According to the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Pakistan loses over $1 million in potential IT and freelance revenue for every hour of internet disruption. In 2023 alone, the total estimated economic loss due to internet shutdowns was around Rs65 billion ($237.6 million). This not only affects individual freelancers but also undermines Pakistan’s efforts to position itself as a reliable IT and digital services hub in the global market.
Amid this crisis, the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) and other industry voices have called on the government to ensure uninterrupted, high-speed internet access as a basic right. They argue that digital workers are now a vital part of the economy, and continued disruptions risk pushing this talent pool into unemployment or force them to relocate abroad. The trust deficit created among international clients is difficult to rebuild, and if left unaddressed, the consequences will stretch far beyond short-term economic losses.
Pakistan’s freelance industry has shown remarkable resilience and potential, especially among its youth. But without immediate reforms and a commitment to reliable digital infrastructure, the country risks losing not just revenue, but also the global goodwill and competitiveness it has painstakingly built in recent years.
