Dr. Umar Saif, the Caretaker Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, as well asScience & Technology, emphasized the utmost importance of enabling PayPaland Stripe payment gateways in Pakistan during his speech at the ITCN Asia2023 event in Karachi. He candidly acknowledged that the government had, inthe past, failed to adequately support the freelancing community in thecountry. Dr. Saif pointed out the significant challenges faced byfreelancers in Pakistan, where the absence of PayPal and Stripe paymentoptions makes it arduous for them to monetize their skills effectively.
He stressed the need for a solution, emphasizing that with Pakistanboasting the world’s second-largest online workforce, it should not be aHerculean task to convince PayPal to grant access to their payment servicesfor this vast talent pool. Enabling PayPal and Stripe payment gateways inPakistan is now considered a top priority for the government. Dr. Saifexpressed his intention to engage with representatives from these companiespersonally, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing thisissue head-on.
It’s worth noting that in February of the previous year, the Ministry ofInformation Technology and Telecommunication had announced that PayPalwould not be available in Pakistan due to objections from the FinancialAction Task Force (FATF), citing concerns about potential links to terrorfinancing. At that time, senior officials from the ministry had indicatedthat the existing customer base in Pakistan did not present a compellingbusiness case for PayPal. However, Dr. Umar Saif’s recent remarksunderscore the renewed determination to overcome these obstacles and enablethese payment gateways for the benefit of the freelancing community and thebroader economy.
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In conclusion, Dr. Umar Saif’s declaration at the ITCN Asia 2023 eventunderscores the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges facedby freelancers in Pakistan by prioritizing the enablement of PayPal andStripe payment gateways. This move is seen as crucial in unlocking the fullpotential of Pakistan’s vast online workforce and boosting economic growthin the digital sphere. The government’s willingness to engage directly withthese companies demonstrates a proactive approach to resolving this issueand supporting the freelancing community. While challenges remain, thegovernment’s dedication to this endeavor is a positive step forward forPakistan’s digital economy
