KARACHI: The Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) and Dr Essa Laboratory & Diagnostic Centre have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide exclusive discounts on healthcare and diagnostic services to eligible members of the association.
The agreement is aimed at improving access to affordable healthcare for Pakistan’s growing freelance community, which often remains without the medical benefits and health coverage commonly available to employees in the formal corporate sector.
The MoU was signed by Farheen Fatima, Chief Growth & Strategy at PAFLA, and Hana Farhan Essa Abedin, Director at Dr Essa Laboratory & Diagnostic Centre.
Under the partnership, eligible PAFLA members will receive a 35 per cent discount on routine laboratory tests. They will also be offered special discounts on specialised tests, diagnostic imaging, MRI and CT scans, ultrasound, physiotherapy, dentistry and a range of other healthcare services.
The initiative is part of PAFLA’s broader efforts to provide social protection, welfare benefits and facilitation opportunities to freelancers and digital workers across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, PAFLA Chairman Ibrahim Amin said freelancing was emerging as an increasingly popular source of livelihood worldwide, particularly in Pakistan, where a growing number of talented and skilled individuals were adopting independent digital work.
He said that despite their growing contribution to the economy, many freelancers remained without essential benefits, including healthcare and medical coverage, which were generally available to employees working in organisations.
“Freelancers are an important part of Pakistan’s digital economy, but many of them do not have access to the social protection and healthcare benefits enjoyed by salaried employees. PAFLA is working to bridge this gap by building a support network that provides the freelance community with meaningful benefits and opportunities,” he said.
Amin added that the association was committed to improving the welfare and quality of life of freelancers by facilitating access to healthcare, financial services, professional development and other support initiatives.
He urged freelancers across the country to become members of PAFLA and benefit from its growing range of services, partnerships and incentives, aimed at helping them achieve greater financial security and a better standard of living.
According to estimates, Pakistan has nearly 3 million full-time and part-time freelancers, making it the fourth-largest freelancers’ population in the world. Freelancers from different fields earned $549 million in the first quarter of the current financial year 2026-27.
