PAFLA Appoints Dr. Imran Batada as President and CEO to Strengthen Pakistan’s Freelancing Ecosystem

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Karachi: The Pakistan Freelancers Association has appointed Dr. Imran Batada as President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization, aiming to further strengthen Pakistan’s growing freelancing and digital workforce sector.

PAFLA, a national-level non-governmental platform focused on the facilitation, empowerment, and welfare of freelancers and digital workers, said Dr. Batada will play a key role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction and expanding national and international partnerships.

Under his leadership, the organization plans to enhance freelancer enablement initiatives and support its long-term vision of establishing Pakistan as a globally recognized hub for digital talent and remote work.

Chairman of PAFLA, Amin Ibrahim, said Pakistani freelancers have made significant contributions to the economy by bringing valuable foreign exchange into the country despite challenges such as electricity shortages and slow internet connectivity.

He noted that with Pakistan’s large youth population and rising unemployment, there is an urgent need to equip young people with modern digital and soft skills to increase their participation in the global digital economy.

Amin Ibrahim expressed confidence that the new leadership would help accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s freelancing ecosystem through collaborations with educational institutions and industry stakeholders.

Dr. Batada brings over 24 years of experience in academia, technology leadership, digital innovation, and organizational strategy. He currently serves as Chief Digital Officer and Director of the Center of Information and Technology at the Institute of Business Management. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at the Institute of Business Administration.

According to PAFLA, Dr. Batada has trained more than 25,000 students across Pakistan and has contributed to multiple government initiatives related to digital skills development and economic inclusion.

His contributions to technology and innovation have earned him several recognitions, including the World CIO 200 Awards (Legend) by the Global CIO Forum from 2020 to 2025 and the Living Legend Excellence Award in 2018.

Speaking after his appointment, Dr. Batada said he is committed to working closely with policymakers, training institutions, industry leaders, and freelancers to create a stronger digital economy framework in Pakistan.

He said empowering freelancers and digital workers would help Pakistan compete more effectively in the global marketplace while contributing to sustainable economic growth.

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