Pakistan's freelancers have generated more than US$1 billion in foreign exchange earnings during the first eleven months of the current fiscal year, marking a record milestone that highlights the expanding role of the country's digital workforce in supporting export growth and strengthening external accounts. According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), foreign exchange receipts earned by freelancers in the information technology and related sectors exceeded US$1 billion during the period under review, compared with US$708 million in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The increase represents a 41 percent year-on-year rise, underscoring the growing contribution of freelancers to Pakistan's digital economy and its position in the global freelancing market. Commenting on the sector's performance, Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) President Dr Imran Batada welcomed the government's decision to retain the Final Tax Regime (FTR) at 0.25 percent, describing it as a supp ortive measure for freelancers whose earnings are reduced by commissions and service charges ranging between 25 percent and 30 percent. He also praised the reduction in taxes on foreign transactions conducted through payment cards, saying the measure would help freelancers invest more easily in projects carried out through social media platforms and international freelancing marketplaces. Dr Batada said PAFLA would continue working alongside the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Information Technology to advocate policies that create additional opportunities for freelancers and strengthen Pakistan's digital ecosystem. According to industry estimates, Pakistan is home to nearly three million freelancers, including both full-time and part-time professionals, making the country one of the world's significant freelance talent pools. PAFLA Chairman Ibrahim Amin called on the government to withdraw the newly introduced 5 percent tax on content creators, arguing that they make an important contribution to Pa kistan's foreign exchange earnings, particularly through educational and knowledge-based YouTube channels. He also urged policymakers to ensure reliable high-speed internet connectivity and uninterrupted electricity supplies to enable freelancers to expand their contribution to the national economy. The SBP data further showed that Pakistan received an additional US$533 million through non-IT freelancers during the same period. As a result, the combined contribution of freelancers reached approximately US$1.6 billion in foreign exchange earnings during the first eleven months of the fiscal year, reinforcing the growing importance of digital services as a source of export revenue and external sector support.