PAFLA, Innovista forge partnership to empower over 50,000 freelancers

KARACHI: The Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), the national-level representative body of freelancers, and Innovista, the SIFC’s national initiative for collaborative workspaces and innovative platforms, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at creating transformative opportunities, including capacity building and business collaboration, for more than 50,000 freelancers every year across Pakistan. This landmark collaboration is set to reshape the freelance ecosystem through capacity building, digital infrastructure and policy advocacy, paving the way for freelancers to play an even more critical role in the national economy.

Chairperson PAFLA Ibrahim Amin and CEO Innovista Hisham Sarwar signed the MOA in Islamabad to launch collaborative events and impactful initiatives aimed at empowering youth across Pakistan through freelancing and digital skills.

“Freelancers are no longer just a side segment of the workforce. They are front and centre in Pakistan’s digital economy, with more than $500 million contribution to bring in foreign exchange in Pakistan,” said Amin. Pakistan has emerged as one of the top five countries contributing to the international gig workforce, with a strength of around 2.37 million and increasing across the country, he further said. PAFLA has registered more than 0.1 million freelancers as members community with its significant representation across the country. The association organised 35 seminars and 25 training sessions, including one with Google Inc.

CEO Innovista Hasham Sarwar said that the PAFLA-Innovista partnership is focused on providing training, technology access, financial literacy and global client connectivity to unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s freelancers, aiming to enhance employability and position Pakistan on a global stage.

Through this partnership, Innovista will deploy its digital tools, learning modules and community engagement resources to create an inclusive environment for Pakistani freelancers, especially women and youth in underserved regions, he added.

Key initiatives under the PAFLA-Innovista partnership include the launch of nationwide freelancers’ training bootcamps, access to co-working and co-learning space at InnoVista, creating awareness campaigns on freelancing rights, taxation, and global platforms, and onboarding of freelancers at Innovista, etc.