Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said Pakistan ranks third in the world in terms of the number of freelancers, as the government moves to upgrade skills and position the country as a regional tech hub.

In an interview with Arab News, Aurangzeb said Pakistan has emerged as one of the largest freelance markets globally. He said the government’s clear objective is to upscale and rescale freelancers to increase their earning potential and global competitiveness.

According to the finance minister, strengthening the freelance economy is a key pillar of Pakistan’s digital growth strategy.

Aurangzeb said special emphasis is being placed on improving expertise in web development and blockchain technology. He noted that these skills are in high demand internationally and are critical for the next phase of Pakistan’s tech sector.

He added that enhanced technical capabilities would make Pakistan more attractive for foreign technology firms.

Saudi companies encouraged to set up offices

The finance minister said these initiatives would enable Saudi Arabia-based companies to establish offices in Pakistan. He explained that a skilled and cost-effective workforce could help deepen economic and technological ties between the two countries.

Aurangzeb said the prospects for exporting Pakistani tech talent to Saudi Arabia are bright and expected to grow further.

Highlighting regional opportunities, the finance minister said Pakistan’s young and skilled workforce is well-positioned to meet Saudi Arabia’s growing demand for technology professionals. He said this would open new avenues for Pakistani freelancers and IT professionals to work on international projects.

Such exports, he added, would also contribute to foreign exchange inflows.

Economic reforms yield stability

Aurangzeb said the government has carried out important economic reforms over the past two years. He said strong focus was placed on improving the fundamentals of the economic system.

As a result, the current account position improved, the foreign exchange rate stabilized, and foreign exchange reserves increased.

Inflation falls amid improved indicators

The finance minister said inflation has declined significantly due to better fiscal management and stabilization measures. He added that these improvements reflect growing economic stability and increased confidence in Pakistan’s economy.

Aurangzeb said the government remains committed to reforms aimed at sustainable growth and job creation.