PAFLA Appoints Dr. Imran Batada as President & CEO to Lead Pakistan’s Freelancing Revolution

KARACHI: In a significant move aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s growing digital economy, the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) has appointed Dr. Imran Batada as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

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The announcement marks a major step forward for the national-level non-governmental organization, which is dedicated to the facilitation, empowerment, and welfare of freelancers and digital workers across Pakistan.

As President and CEO, Dr. Batada will play a key role in shaping PAFLA’s strategic vision by strengthening local and international collaborations, expanding freelancer enablement initiatives, and positioning Pakistan as a globally competitive hub for digital talent.

Speaking on the occasion, Amin Ibrahim, Chairman of PAFLA, praised the remarkable contribution of Pakistani freelancers to the national economy. He noted that despite persistent challenges such as electricity load shedding and slow internet connectivity, freelancers have continued to bring valuable foreign exchange into the country through their global services.

He emphasized that with Pakistan’s rapidly growing youth population and increasing unemployment concerns, there is an urgent need to equip young people with emerging digital and soft skills to enhance their participation in the international freelance marketplace.

Amin Ibrahim expressed confidence that Dr. Batada’s leadership would further strengthen Pakistan’s freelancing ecosystem while paving the way for innovative initiatives through partnerships with educational institutions, industry leaders, and development organizations.

Dr. Batada brings more than 24 years of leadership experience spanning academia, technology, digital transformation, policy development, and organizational strategy. He is currently serving as the Chief Digital Officer and Director of the Center of Information and Technology at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM). Previously, he held the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the Center for ICT at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA Karachi).

Widely recognized for his contributions to digital education and innovation, Dr. Batada has trained more than 25,000 students across Pakistan and actively contributed to several federal and provincial government initiatives focused on digital skills development, research, and economic inclusion.

His achievements in the technology sector have earned him multiple prestigious honors, including the World CIO 200 Awards (Legend Category) from 2020 to 2025, as well as the Living Legend Excellence Award presented by the Ideal Excellence Awards in 2018.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Batada said he is committed to working closely with policymakers, industry stakeholders, training institutions, and the freelancer community to create a more supportive and globally competitive ecosystem for digital workers in Pakistan.

“I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to build a favorable environment for freelancers and digital professionals in Pakistan, enabling them to compete internationally and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth,” he stated.