On Thursday, Dr. Umar Saif, the Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, announced that a pilot project is set to commence in February, allowing 10,000 freelancers in Pakistan to receive payments through PayPal.
Speaking at the Tech Destination Pakistan event, which marked the launch of E-Rozgar Centers in the country, he stated, “In February, we are initiating the first pilot project enabling 10,000 freelancers in Pakistan to receive payments via PayPal.” The minister added that the program would expand in March, providing widespread access to payments from both PayPal and Stripe across the nation. It was emphasized that although PayPal itself is not establishing a direct presence in Pakistan, an agreement has been established to facilitate remittances through PayPal using a third-party intermediary.
In the newly introduced initiative, freelancers will no longer be required to create a PayPal account. Instead, those outside the country will transfer payments directly from their PayPal accounts, and the funds will be swiftly credited to the freelancers’ accounts, as explained by the minister. The minister outlined that the government has implemented a process for freelancers to open bank accounts, with the condition that they demonstrate having accounts on platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, Elance, Toptal, or Crossover. Additionally, the minister disclosed a 50 percent dollar retention policy for the IT industry, allowing freelancers to retain half of their earnings in dollars. A designated bank will issue a debit card, enabling freelancers to freely use the funds domestically or internationally.
Emphasizing the commitment, the minister stated that ample funds have been allocated for the establishment of E-Rozgaar centers nationwide through a public-private partnership, offering interest-free loans to selected individuals and companies. He expressed that the primary goal of the E-Rozgaar centers is to provide cutting-edge infrastructure to enhance the productivity of freelancers and strengthen Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. Through the program, over 250 E-Rozgaar Pakistan centers will be established, involving both the public and private sectors. The intention is to promote inclusivity in the digital, financial, and economic realms by fostering a culture of freelancing and entrepreneurship in Pakistan. Currently, he mentioned that around 40 E-Rozgaar centers are under construction, and it is anticipated that all these centers will be operational by February 19, 2024.
Dr. Umar Saif announced that a standardized quality test for 75,000 information technology graduates is scheduled for January 15. He emphasized key decisions taken to reform IT education in collaboration with various organizations, such as HEC, the National Computing Accreditation Council, the Examination Testing Council, the Pakistan Software Export Board, and the Pakistan Software Houses Association. Dr. Saif stated that successful test takers would have job opportunities through the Industry Placement Program. Additionally, he revealed plans to allocate funds to support specialized industry courses in universities, aiming to equip students with skills aligned with current industry trends. Dr. Saif mentioned that students would receive a stipend from the government, and companies offering them apprenticeships would receive cash awards from the government.
Simultaneously, he mentioned that the IT sector requires highly skilled professionals certified by renowned international enterprise platforms such as Google, Microsoft, and Cisco. In the upcoming year, the plan is to train 16,000 individuals who already possess IT skills but lack international certifications in areas like Salesforce, Cisco, Microsoft, and Oracle financials, among others.
Emphasizing the government’s support through the SIFC, he highlighted significant measures taken to assist IT firms, resulting in a 13 percent increase in IT revenue last month. Hassan Nasir Jami, the Federal IT Secretary, noted that the IT ministry has swiftly implemented various initiatives to boost IT exports and support freelancers. He affirmed the ministry’s dedication to nurturing an IT ecosystem and urged entrepreneurs, students, and developers to seize the available opportunities.
- Misleading Video Alters Prime Minister Shehbaz’s Speech Targeting Political Rival, Not His Party - 21/04/2024
- ATC Grants Three-Day Remand for Suspects in Ichhra Bazaar Harassment Case - 19/03/2024
- Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh Lead World in Severe Smog Crisis, Exceeding WHO Guidelines - 19/03/2024
