Flexible Workspace Sharing in Pakistan Research & Insights
Comprehensive analysis of Pakistan's flexible workspace sharing market, current landscape, identified gaps, and opportunities for growth.
In 30 Seconds — What We Found
Introduction
Work is changing rapidly in Pakistan. While freelancers, startups, and small teams are searching for flexible, affordable places to work, many companies have unused desks or meeting rooms that sit empty every day.
DeskShare is exploring how to connect these two groups — turning empty space into opportunity, and giving professionals affordable access to workspaces when they need them.
This research shares our analysis of the current market, the gaps we've identified, and why this flexible workspace sharing model can help reshape the future of work in Pakistan.
Market Scan: What Exists Today
Pakistan already has an active coworking and shared workspace market with several established players. Based on our research and industry analysis, here's the current landscape:
Market Size & Supply
- ~449 coworking/shared workspace locations nationwide (May 2025)
- ~9% growth since 2023 (Smartscraper data)
- ~3 million active freelancers in Pakistan (2024)
- $400M foreign exchange from freelancing (FY2024-25)
- Punjab: 274 spaces, Sindh: 115, Islamabad: 51
- PKR 2,000/day day-pass rates (COLABS, SandBox)
- PKR 23,900-30,500/month Regus shared desks
- 6-12 month minimum contract requirements
The Hive
Hubs in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad with community-focused coworking spaces.
COLABS
Fast-growing coworking community with recent funding for expansion across Pakistan.
Kickstart
Multiple coworking hubs across major Pakistani cities with flexible membership options.
Regus
International coworking and serviced office provider with presence in major Pakistani cities.
These established spaces prove there is strong demand for flexible work environments in Pakistan.
The Gap We Identified
The Problem: Most coworking operators own or lease dedicated buildings. They require memberships, minimum contracts, or premium pricing that excludes many potential users.
Companies Have Unused Space
- Spare desks often unused during peak hours
- Meeting rooms frequently idle (60-80% of time in many companies)
- Office space costs with low utilization rates
Professionals Need Flexibility
- Freelancers want ad hoc, affordable spaces
- Startups need flexibility without contracts
- Teams want local options outside major hubs
Our Solution: A simple marketplace that matches unused company desks with people who need them, without long-term commitments or high membership fees.
Opportunities for Pakistan
Flexible workspace sharing offers significant benefits for Pakistan's growing economy:
For Companies
Monetize unused space and offset operational costs while building community connections.
For Professionals
Affordable, on-demand desks without long commitments or high membership fees.
For the Economy
Better use of existing real estate, stronger startup ecosystem, and local community building.
Global Market Potential
The global flexible workspace market is projected to grow from $10.81 billion (2023) to $36.92 billion (2030) at a CAGR of 11.87% (Source: Spherical Insights, 2024). Pakistan has similar growth potential — if we adapt the model to local needs and market conditions.
Shape the Future of Work in Pakistan
We're running a comprehensive survey to understand what people in Pakistan want from flexible workspace sharing.
Your feedback will directly help us design a platform that works for both space providers and workspace seekers.
Data Sources & Methodology
Primary Sources
- • DeskShare Market Survey (n=150+ respondents)
- • Kickstart, Regus, COLABS official websites
- • Pakistan Freelancers Association reports
- • Industry interviews and focus groups
Secondary Sources
- • Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (freelancer data)
- • State Bank of Pakistan (foreign exchange data)
- • Global coworking market reports (2024-2025)
- • Local business directories and listings