Freelancers Real Force Behind IT Export Growth Not Govt, Lawmakers Tell IT Ministry

Pakistan’s growing IT exports came under scrutiny on Thursday as members of parliament openly challenged the Ministry of IT’s claim. They told ministry officials that freelancers and not government initiatives are the real drivers of export growth in Pakistan.

During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, one committee member criticized the ministry’s performance, saying freelancers are working tirelessly to earn foreign exchange while institutional support remains weak.

The private sector increases IT exports across the world, the IT Secretary acknowledged, responding to lawmakers’ remarks. However, the admission further fueled criticism over what lawmakers described as a lack of effective facilitation for investors and technology entrepreneurs.

The committee member also alleged that repeated proposals for IT projects received no response from the ministry, warning that potential investors are being discouraged due to bureaucratic inertia.

The exchange underscored growing pressure on the government to move beyond policy statements and deliver concrete reforms, infrastructure, and incentives to sustain Pakistan’s digital economy and retain its freelance workforce.