The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has sought over Rs 1.67 billion for FY2026-27 under three key ongoing projects — Pakistan Startup Fund, Bridge Start Pakistan and e-Rozgaar Pakistan — as part of broader Prime Minister IT support initiatives aimed at strengthening startup financing, freelancing infrastructure and advanced digital skills ecosystem in Pakistan.
Official PSDP documents show the ministry has proposed Rs 1 billion for venture capital and startup financing (Component-I), Rs 264 million for freelancing infrastructure and digital centres expansion (Component-II), and Rs 408 million for specialized IT training and internship programs (Component-III) for the upcoming fiscal year.
Under Component-I, which carries a total project cost of Rs 3 billion for three years, cumulative expenditure has reached Rs 132.85 million, while physical progress stands at 24 percent and financial progress at 5 percent. The initiative is aimed at building a transparent startup financing ecosystem, facilitating international market linkages, and strengthening early-stage venture support through structured grant disbursement and technical evaluation frameworks.
Component-II, focused on freelancing and digital workspace expansion, has a total project cost of Rs 1 billion, with Rs 59.06 million spent so far. Physical progress has reached 42 percent, while financial utilization stands at 5.9 percent. Authorities have so far established 80 digital centres across 30 districts, providing more than 6,500 fully equipped seats for freelancers.
Multiple loan applications linked to centre operations are currently under processing, while nationwide outreach activities have been conducted to attract private partners and freelancers.
Component-III, targeting advanced IT skills, certifications and workforce readiness, has recorded cumulative expenditure of Rs 53.46 million against a total project cost of Rs 1 billion.
Physical progress stands at 27.25 percent and financial progress at 5.35 percent, The program covers international certifications, soft skills training, bootcamp programs and internships, with over 1,000 interns already placed in companies and thousands of training reimbursement applications received.
Officials said the combined initiatives are designed to accelerate startup growth, expand freelancing employment opportunities, and produce industry-ready IT professionals to support Pakistan’s transition towards a knowledge-based digital economy.
