PFC urges national strategy to unlock Pakistan’s digital export potential

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jul, 2026) Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq on Sunday stated that Pakistan’s rapidly expanding gig economy presents a historic opportunity to significantly increase export earnings by leveraging its large pool of skilled technology professionals and freelancers.

Chairing a meeting of the PFC board of Directors, he emphasized that young entrepreneurs should move beyond conventional freelancing and focus on developing value-added digital products, software solutions, and technology-based businesses to generate higher export revenues.

He stressed the need to facilitate secure digital payment systems, improve access to international freelancing platforms, and promote technology startups to further strengthen Pakistan’s digital exports.

Mian Kashif Ashfaq urged policymakers to formulate a comprehensive national digital economy strategy anchored in public-private partnerships, expanded digital literacy programmes, and greater investment in innovation, research, and development. Such measures, he noted, would help Pakistan emerge as a leading exporter of digital services while ensuring sustainable economic growth.

He added that Pakistan boasts the world’s fourth-largest freelance workforce, providing a robust foundation for expanding the export of digital services.

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He pointed out that rising global demand for software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital marketing, graphic designing, content creation, and virtual assistance offers immense opportunities for Pakistani professionals.

The CEO highlighted that the digital economy has become one of the fastest-growing sectors globally and can play a pivotal role in strengthening Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, generating employment, and promoting inclusive economic growth. He described the country’s youthful population as its greatest asset, capable of driving innovation and economic transformation with appropriate policy backing.

Furthermore, he called for close coordination among the government, private sector, and educational institutions to equip young people with market-oriented digital skills, advanced technical training, and entrepreneurial capabilities. He added that investment in digital infrastructure, uninterrupted high-speed internet connectivity, and innovation-friendly policies would enable Pakistani freelancers to compete more effectively in global markets.