Something Ventured, Something Gained: LUMS Student Launches Platform to Empower Freelancers Across Pakistan
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Can one student’s drive for financial freedom spark a shift in Pakistan’s freelancing landscape? RozMarrah, a new platform co-founded by Ali Sikander, a third-year Computer Science student at LUMS, is aiming to do just that. The venture is designed to empower skilled students and young professionals by providing them with opportunities to earn money while simultaneously building their portfolios.
With its simple, user-friendly interface, RozMarrah connects service seekers with talented service providers, making it easy for both sides to engage in meaningful work. “Students need financial independence,” explains Ali. “In other countries, there’s a thriving gig economy where individuals can earn small amounts to manage side expenses. However, in Pakistan, many students face cultural and social barriers that limit their ability to find flexible work.”
Recognising the potential within Pakistan’s youth, Ali and his two co-founders— fellow Computer Science majors at FAST-NUCES—got to work and developed the website, funding it entirely by themselves. The response was overwhelming: within a month of launching, 15,000 people had signed up, with over 5,000 actively using the platform. “Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are great, but their algorithms often overlook Pakistani freelancers,” says Ali. “That’s when I thought, why not create a vetted platform where the world can come to us? There are so many skilled individuals here—they just need opportunities. We want to ensure that Pakistanis are hired in both local and international markets. That’s why we started RozMarrah.”
One of the proudest moments for Ali was when a client successfully used the platform to teach Quran from the comfort of her home. “She’s good at teaching tajweed, but due to cultural reasons, she would never be able to work outside of her home. But with RozMarrah, she’s not only able to use her knowledge, but also share it with others while earning money. She was so grateful to have this opportunity.”
The site operates on a simple yet effective escrow model, ensuring security and trust for both parties. When a client engages a freelancer for a project, the agreed-upon payment is held in escrow until a pre-determined milestone has been completed to the client's satisfaction. This approach not only protects the freelancer from late payments but also reassures clients that their funds are secure until the work meets their expectations.
Ali shares that he also believes that the site could be very helpful to people in their daily lives. “There are so many aspects of Pakistani life that are so specific to our country – like filing taxes, applying for certain permits – there are limited resources available for those things. But if people could share their knowledge and tips, while also making a side income, that would benefit both sides,” he said.
Throughout their RozMarrah journey, LUMS has played a key role. Ali reflects, “The encouragement we received from our LUMS community has been pivotal. My classmates and peers were the first to embrace this platform. I actually even got the milestone idea from the LUMS module system! We’ve also signed an MoU with the Student Council to promote LUMS freelancers as much as possible on different platforms.”
“A lot of great ideas fizzle out because they aren’t followed up with consistent improvement,” says Ali. “We are dedicated to maintaining and improving what we have started. We’re reaching out to and partnering with agencies to get our freelancers opportunities. We don’t want to just make a space for providers and clients to connect – we want to actively help provide opportunities and enhance skills too,” he shares.
When discussing growth plans, Ali has high ambitions for RozMarrah, “I want that in two years from now, we have expanded our services to such an extent that every Pakistani has this app on their phone. Just as we rely on Google, we want RozMarrah to be the go-to app for whatever service people need.”
As they navigate the challenges of growing their venture, for Ali and his co-founders the focus remains on building a community and contributing to the growing gig economy in Pakistan. LUMS wishes them the best of luck with their endeavour!
