ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — On the second anniversary of the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Pakistan marked a major leap in its digital economy by enabling PayPal-based international payments for freelancers through a new mediated system. The initiative allows up to 10,000 freelancers to receive payments from global clients directly into local bank accounts—without needing individual PayPal accounts.
This breakthrough comes as part of broader efforts to enhance financial inclusion and streamline foreign transactions. Alongside the PayPal initiative, the government has launched over 10,000 E-Rozgar centres and activated 43 IT parks across the country, with major hubs under construction in Islamabad and Karachi. These centres are intended to empower approximately 50,000 freelancers each year.
SIFC’s digital roadmap has also attracted global tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Cisco, fuelling a rise in IT exports which now exceed $3.2 billion. A five-year tech transfer deal with China is further strengthening industrial innovation and skills development.
To support this momentum, the government has introduced special foreign currency accounts and implemented a 50% dollar retention policy for IT companies and freelancers—measures expected to boost competitiveness in the global tech market.
With more than 1.5 million active freelancers and growing international connectivity, the SIFC is positioning Pakistan as a serious contender in the global digital economy.
