KARACHI: The Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), a representative body of freelancers countrywide, has called on relevant authorities to address the prevailing internet issues and take immediate steps to restore services to full capacity.

Ensuring a stable and secure internet connection is crucial for freelancers to deliver their work seamlessly and continue contributing to the country’s foreign exchange reserves. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, Pakistani freelancers generated $350 million in FY 2023-24, marking a 40 percent year-on-year increase.

PAFLA President & CEO Tufail Ahmed Khan highlighted that freelancers have been grappling with slow internet speeds and frequent disruptions over the past three weeks. These challenges have hindered their ability to meet project deadlines, onboard new clients, and secure future business, resulting in significant revenue losses. “Pakistan is the fourth-largest freelancing industry globally, with over 2.3 million full-time and part-time freelancers. If this issue persist, online freelancing platforms may downgrade our standing, further damaging the industry,” he warned

In addition to full-time freelancers, thousands of students rely on freelancing to fund their higher education, and many educated housewives take on freelance projects to support their families in these inflationary times, Khan added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024