Hiring an iOS Developer in Pakistan: What to Expect

I am an iOS developer based in Karachi, and I work with founders abroad. Here is what hiring someone like me actually looks like, including the parts that are worth checking carefully.

Why founders hire in Pakistan

• Cost. Rates are generally lower than in the US, UK, or Western Europe, so the same budget goes further.
• A strong software industry. Pakistan has a large developer community and many engineers who work with international teams every day.
• Useful time zones. PKT (UTC+5) overlaps with the Gulf for most of the day, the UK and Europe in the morning, and the US East Coast in the evening. Work often moves forward while you sleep.

What to check before you hire anyone

Shipped work you can verify

Ask for App Store links, not screenshots. My own apps, like Just Invoice and Balancio, are live for anyone to download, and client work such as CueCam and Timey is too.

How they communicate

You need someone who asks the right questions about your product, not just someone who writes code. Have a 20-minute call and see whether they understand what you are trying to build.

Code ownership and access

The code should live in a repository you own, and your App Store account should be yours. This is non-negotiable wherever your developer is.

Payment protection

For a first project, a platform like Upwork gives both sides escrow and dispute protection. Once trust exists, many clients move to direct terms.

What working together looks like

• You send what you have: an idea, designs, or an existing build.
• We agree the scope and the first milestone.
• I build, and you see progress on a real device through TestFlight.
• We prepare the launch: App Store listing, screenshots, landing page, and submission.

I usually reply within 24 hours. If you are weighing up a developer in Pakistan, message me on WhatsApp or email me and ask anything, including the awkward questions.