More than a 9 to 5: the rise of side hustles in Pakistan
Home Pakistan’s rising side hustle culture fuels ambition and creativity but risks burnout if passion turns into pressure Fast-paced economies have made hustle culture the new normal. Around the world, freelancers and full-time employees alike are balancing diverse income streams, often celebrating their ability to juggle multiple roles at once. In the United States, nearly 44% of workers currently have a side hustle, with 72% of them starting one to combat inflation or meet financial needs. Now, this culture is steadily making its way to Pakistan. Among young people especially, the idea of balancing a primary career with passion-driven work is becoming increasingly common. In Pakistan, where students are often encouraged to follow traditional career paths such as engineering, medicine, or law, creative pursuits are rarely seen as viable full-time professions. As a result, these passions are often pushed into the category of “side hustles.”
Published: April 26, 2026 2:17 pm
Source: The Express Tribune — Read original