Gilgit-Baltistan is emerging as a quiet powerhouse in Pakistan’s digital economy, with local freelancers earning an impressive $15 million annually, a figure that far exceeds the region’s IT firms, which collectively generate around $3.5 million, according to P@SHA’s IT & ITeS Sector Report.
With an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 active freelancers, GB’s youth are serving clients across the world through platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and Freelancer. Their expertise spans software development, graphic design, content creation, and digital marketing, skills that are increasingly in global demand.
What makes this achievement remarkable is that it has been driven largely without a fully developed infrastructure. Despite frequent power outages, limited internet bandwidth, and remote geography, GB’s young professionals are leveraging their strong literacy rate, digital skills, and multilingual abilities to secure high-paying international projects.
Government bodies and NGOs are now working to support this momentum through new technology parks, co-working hubs, and skill-development programs. These initiatives aim to create a more structured digital ecosystem that can help freelancers scale their work and compete globally.
However, challenges remain. Unstable electricity, patchy internet, and the need for advanced training continue to slow growth. Experts argue that targeted investment in connectivity and digital infrastructure could multiply freelancer earnings and even encourage tech startups to emerge from the region.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s digital workforce is proving that talent can thrive anywhere, when given the right opportunities and global access.
