Dr. Umar Saif, the Caretaker Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, as well as Science & Technology, emphasized the utmost importance of enabling PayPal and Stripe payment gateways in Pakistan during his speech at the ITCN Asia 2023 event in Karachi. He candidly acknowledged that the government had, in the past, failed to adequately support the freelancing community in the country. Dr. Saif pointed out the significant challenges faced by freelancers in Pakistan, where the absence of PayPal and Stripe payment options makes it arduous for them to monetize their skills effectively.
He stressed the need for a solution, emphasizing that with Pakistan boasting the world's second-largest online workforce, it should not be a Herculean task to convince PayPal to grant access to their payment services for this vast talent pool. Enabling PayPal and Stripe payment gateways in Pakistan is now considered a top priority for the government. Dr. Saif expressed his intention to engage with representatives from these companies personally, demonstrating the government's commitment to addressing this issue head-on.
It's worth noting that in February of the previous year, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication had announced that PayPal would not be available in Pakistan due to objections from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), citing concerns about potential links to terror financing. At that time, senior officials from the ministry had indicated that the existing customer base in Pakistan did not present a compelling business case for PayPal. However, Dr. Umar Saif's recent remarks underscore the renewed determination to overcome these obstacles and enable these payment gateways for the benefit of the freelancing community and the broader economy.
In conclusion, Dr. Umar Saif's declaration at the ITCN Asia 2023 event underscores the government's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by freelancers in Pakistan by prioritizing the enablement of PayPal and Stripe payment gateways. This move is seen as crucial in unlocking the full potential of Pakistan's vast online workforce and boosting economic growth in the digital sphere. The government's willingness to engage directly with these companies demonstrates a proactive approach to resolving this issue and supporting the freelancing community. While challenges remain, the government's dedication to this endeavor is a positive step forward for Pakistan's digital economy