Freelancing started to gain popularity in Pakistan in the early 2000s, around the time when online marketplaces such as Elance (now Upwork ) and Freelancer .com began to emerge. However, it wasn't until the mid-2000s when internet penetration started to increase, and the availability of reliable internet connectivity became more widespread, that the freelance industry in Pakistan really began to take off. Today, Pakistan has emerged as one of the top countries for freelancing, with a large number of skilled professionals providing services in fields such as software development , graphic design, content writing, and digital marketing, among others. The country's growing freelance industry is attributed to several factors, including the low cost of living, a highly educated workforce, and a growing entrepreneurial culture.