Pilot Project Empowering 10,000 Freelancers with PayPal Payments
Islamabad: The Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, said on Wednesday that a pilot project is starting, and 10,000 freelancers will begin receiving payments from PayPal in February.
Speaking at an event for the launch of E-Rozgar Centers in Pakistan, he mentioned, “In February, we are initiating the first pilot project in which 10,000 Pakistani freelancers will start receiving payments through PayPal.”
The minister further explained that in March, the program will expand, allowing everyone in the country to receive payments through PayPal and Stripe.
While acknowledging that PayPal itself is not yet available in Pakistan, an important agreement has been made to facilitate remittances through PayPal from third parties.
Under the new project, freelancers will not need to open a PayPal account. Instead, individuals outside the country will send money from their PayPal accounts, and the funds will be immediately deposited into the freelancer’s account, he clarified.
The minister stated that the government has introduced a project for freelancers to open a bank account. Freelancers only need to prove that they have accounts on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Elance, Toptal, or Crossover.
He added, “The IT industry will have a 50% dollar retention policy, meaning you can save 50% of whatever you earn. You will receive a debit card from the bank so that you can spend this money freely within the country or internationally.”
Revolutionizing E-Rozgar: A Comprehensive Approach to Freelancing in Pakistan
Highlighting the public-private partnership, he mentioned that funds have been allocated to establish E-Rozgar Centers nationwide, providing interest-free loans to eligible individuals and companies.
He emphasized that creating E-Rozgar Centers across the country is an opportunity to strengthen freelance activities, boost the digital economy, and provide a robust foundation for Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
As part of the program, over 250 E-Rozgar Pakistan Centers will be established throughout the country, serving both the public and private sectors.
He mentioned that this initiative aims to provide inclusivity in digital, financial, and economic aspects, contributing to the culture of freelancing and entrepreneurship in Pakistan.
Recently, he informed that approximately 40 E-Rozgar Centers are in operation, and it is expected that all these E-Rozgar Centers will be active by February 19, 2024.
Dr. Umar Saif shared that on January 15, the first standardized quality test will be conducted for around 75,000 information technology graduates.
He highlighted crucial decisions taken in collaboration with various entities such as HEC, NCEAC, ETC, PSEB, and PASHA.
Opportunities For Students.
He stated that students who pass the test successfully will be provided with employment opportunities through industrial affiliations. The government will allocate funds for special industry courses in universities to prepare students for current industrial practices and requirements. Students will receive incentives from the government, and companies releasing apprentices will receive cash rewards from the government.
During the announcement, he said, “The IT industry also needs a strong market power play like international enterprise platforms Google and Microsoft, such as strong platforms like Sales force, Cisco, Microsoft, and Oracle, etc. So, this year, we are training 16,000 people. These are people who already have IT skills but need international certifications like Sales force, Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle Financials, etc.”
He also mentioned that the government, under SIFC, has taken some significant steps to facilitate IT freelancers, resulting in a 13% increase in IT income last month.
Federal IT Secretary Hassan Nasser Jami stated that in the short term, the Ministry of IT has initiated multiple projects to increase IT revenues and facilitate freelancers.
He mentioned that the Ministry of IT is dedicated to building the IT system and invites businesses, students, and developers to collaborate and avail of opportunities.