LAHORE (APP/Daily Point) — In February, a pilot project initiated by the caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Umar Saif, is set to enable up to 10,000 freelancers in Pakistan to receive payments through PayPal.

Although PayPal itself will not establish a direct presence in Pakistan, an agreement has been reached to channel remittances through PayPal via a third party.

Addressing the launch event of E-Rozgar Centers at the Tech Destination Pakistan event, Minister Umar Saif outlined the program’s expansion, ensuring widespread access to PayPal and Stripe payments across the country. Freelancers participating in this initiative won’t be required to open a PayPal account; instead, payments will be made by individuals outside the country through their PayPal accounts, promptly deposited into freelancers’ accounts.

Furthermore, the government has implemented a mechanism for freelancers to open bank accounts, with a specific focus on those who can provide evidence of their accounts on platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, Elance, Toptal, or Crossover. Minister Umar Saif highlighted a significant development in the IT industry, introducing a 50% dollar retention policy. This policy allows freelancers to retain 50% of their earnings in dollars, with the added benefit of receiving a debit card for spending the money domestically or internationally.

The minister emphasized that the government has allocated sufficient funds to establish E-Rozgaar centers nationwide through public-private partnerships. These centers aim to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure, fostering productivity among freelancers and contributing to the growth of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. As part of the program, over 250 E-Rozgaar Pakistan centers will be established collaboratively by the public and private sectors.