China will provide digital skills training to 300,000 Pakistani youths every year under a new initiative aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s technology sector and boosting the digital economy, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal announced.
Speaking at the 3rd LCCI IT Freelancing Awards 2026 in Lahore, Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan has become the world’s fourth-largest freelancing nation, with young professionals making a significant contribution to digital exports and foreign exchange earnings.
He emphasized that success in the modern economy depends on knowledge, digital skills, and access to technology rather than large investments or physical offices.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheemur Rehman Saigol encouraged freelancers and IT professionals to adopt artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to remain competitive globally. He said collaboration between the government and private sector could help transform Pakistan into a regional digital economy hub under the Uraan Pakistan initiative.
Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said freelancing has become a key pillar of Pakistan’s digital economy, contributing millions of dollars in foreign exchange annually.
He added that the Punjab government, in collaboration with the federal government and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), is working to resolve international payment issues faced by freelancers by introducing secure and efficient payment systems.
The minister also highlighted ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, technology parks, IT zones, innovation hubs, and artificial intelligence initiatives, with the goal of making Punjab a leading center for AI, digital entrepreneurship, and startup innovation.
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