As Pakistan’s digital economy accelerates, freelancers and IT entrepreneurs are once again calling on the government to facilitate better international payment options — especially in light of Payoneer’s recent fee hikes that are putting added pressure on an already strained workforce.
🚨 Why the Outcry? Payoneer’s Sudden Fee Spike
Payoneer, a major payment service provider for Pakistani freelancers, has significantly revised its pricing:
- Free services now come with charges, including fund transfers to USD, Euro, or GBP bank accounts
- Withdrawal fees have been increased by 50%, frustrating users who rely heavily on the platform
- The platform remains the primary international payment method integrated with banks like JazzCash, Faysal Bank, Meezan Bank, and HBL
🎙️ “Payoneer’s sudden 50% fee hike seems unfair. Freelancers are already burdened and trying to grow into entrepreneurs,” said Ibrahim Amin, Chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA).
📢 What the Tech Community Wants
Pakistan’s IT experts and freelance leaders are urging the government and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to:
✅ Create an International Payment Gateway
Provide alternative payment platforms, like PayPal or Stripe, to reduce dependence on a single provider.
✅ Introduce Cross-Border Support via RAAST or Buna
Accelerate SBP’s plan to integrate RAAST and the Arab Monetary Fund’s Buna system for affordable remittances and freelancer payments.
✅ Encourage Competition
Invite multiple platforms to the Pakistani market to create a competitive ecosystem — avoiding monopolistic behavior and sudden price hikes.
✅ Subsidize Service Fees
Design a policy to subsidize service charges, similar to initiatives for overseas Pakistanis, ensuring freelancers keep more of their hard-earned income.
👩💻 The Bigger Picture: Freelancers Powering Pakistan’s Economy
Pakistan’s freelance workforce is not just growing — it’s becoming a critical engine of foreign exchange. Many of these digital workers:
- Are self-taught
- Provide services to clients in over 150 countries
- Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal
- Train through free courses by public/private institutions and NGOs
🗣️ “They’re not just earning for their families — they’re helping reduce poverty and bring in precious foreign reserves,” added PAFLA’s Ibrahim Amin.
🧠 Expert Insight: “Act Now or Fall Behind”
Dr. Noman Ahmad Said, a veteran IT exporter, warns that Pakistan needs to act fast to retain and grow its digital workforce:
“The government must think outside the box. Remote work is evolving globally, and Pakistan can’t afford to fall behind.”
He also recommends exploring partnerships with banks and new-age service providers, adding that payment barriers should not hold back an industry that has the potential to drive Pakistan’s export strategy forward.
🚀 What Needs to Happen Next
To build a future-ready freelancing ecosystem, Pakistan must:
- ✅ Open the market for payment solutions like PayPal, Wise, Stripe
- ✅ Subsidize fund transfer costs to empower freelancers
- ✅ Enhance transparency and competition among service providers
- ✅ Implement cross-border infrastructure through SBP and AMF partnerships
📌 Final Thoughts
The message from Pakistan’s digital workforce is clear:
They don’t just need payment platforms. They need fair, accessible, and scalable payment infrastructure. 💼🌍
As the number of freelancers continues to grow, so does the urgency to modernize financial access. The right policy today could unlock millions in tech exports tomorrow.
