Pakistan is set to receive a major boost in digital skills development as China will provide digital skills training to 300,000 Pakistani youths every year, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal announced during the 3rd LCCI IT Freelancing Awards 2026 held in Lahore.
Addressing the ceremony organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the minister said the initiative will help prepare Pakistani youth for careers in information technology, freelancing, artificial intelligence (AI), software development, and other emerging digital fields. He said the program is expected to strengthen Pakistan's digital economy, create employment opportunities, and increase the country's technology exports.
Pakistan Among the World's Top Freelancing Nations
Ahsan Iqbal highlighted Pakistan's rapid growth in the global freelance market, stating that the country has become the fourth-largest freelancing nation in the world. He praised Pakistani freelancers for generating valuable foreign exchange and enhancing the country's reputation in international digital markets.
He emphasized that economic success in the modern world is increasingly driven by knowledge, digital skills, innovation, and technology rather than large businesses or heavy investments. According to the minister, young Pakistanis equipped with modern digital skills can compete globally while working remotely from anywhere in the country.
Greater Focus on AI and Emerging Technologies
Speaking at the event, LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol urged freelancers, software professionals, and students to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to remain competitive in the rapidly changing global digital economy.
He said closer collaboration between the government and private sector could help transform Pakistan into a regional hub for technology, innovation, and digital services under the government's Uraan Pakistan vision.
Punjab Government Working to Support Freelancers
Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said freelancing has become one of the strongest pillars of Pakistan's digital economy, with Pakistani freelancers earning millions of dollars in foreign exchange every year.
He acknowledged that many freelancers still face challenges in receiving international payments and said the Punjab government is working with the Federal Government and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to improve secure and efficient payment systems for digital workers.
Investment in Digital Infrastructure
The Punjab government is also expanding investment in technology parks, IT zones, innovation hubs, and digital infrastructure to create a stronger ecosystem for technology-based businesses.
The finance minister said special attention is being given to artificial intelligence initiatives, with the goal of making Punjab Pakistan's leading center for AI, innovation, startups, and digital entrepreneurship. He added that the province aims to produce not only successful freelancers but also AI engineers, startup founders, software innovators, and globally competitive technology professionals.
The announcement of China's large-scale digital skills training program is expected to significantly enhance Pakistan's skilled workforce, improve employment opportunities for young people, and further accelerate the country's transition toward a knowledge-based digital economy.
