Terms & Conditions

1. Definitions

• “Employer”:

  A user who registers on the Platform to post projects, purchase listed services from Freelancers, or post job opportunities.

• “Freelancer”:

  A user who registers on the Platform to offer their skills, bid on Projects, list Services, or apply for Jobs.

• “Project”:

  A specific task or piece of work posted by an Employer for which they are seeking a Freelancer.

• “Service”:

  A predefined service package offered by a Freelancer at a set price, which an Employer can purchase.

• “Job”:

  A longer-term employment opportunity posted by an Employer.

• “User”:

  Any person who accesses or uses the Platform, including Employers and Freelancers.

• “User Content”:

  Any content submitted by Users, including profiles, project descriptions, bids, service listings, reviews, and messages.

2. User Accounts & Eligibility

• 2.1. Registration:

  To use most features of the Platform, you must register for an account. You will be asked to provide an email address and create a password. You must specify whether you are registering as an Employer or a Freelancer.

• 2.2. Profile Completion & Verification:

  • All Users must complete a verification process before performing actions such as posting or bidding on Projects, listing or purchasing Services, or posting or applying for Jobs. Verification requires providing your full name, a copy of your CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) or Passport, a clear photograph of yourself with your identification document (if requested), a valid phone number, and a verified email address.
  • Freelancers applying for Jobs must have their profile completed to at least 70%, including details about their skills, education, and experience.
  • Employers are encouraged to complete their profiles to build trust, although only verification is mandatory for basic actions.
  • Al Ujrat is working towards integrating NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) verification for enhanced security and may update verification requirements accordingly.

• 2.3. Age Restrictions:

  • Freelancers must be at least 18 years of age to create an account and offer services.
  • Employers posting Projects or purchasing Services must generally be 18 years of age or older. However, minors (e.g., 13 years or older) may use the platform under the supervision and with the consent of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by these Terms for minor tasks appropriate for their age and local laws. The supervising adult is responsible for all actions of the minor.
  • Al Ujrat does not support child labor and prohibits underage work that violates applicable laws.

• 2.4. Account Security:

  You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account password and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify Al Ujrat immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

• 2.5. Accuracy of Information:

  You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.

3. Platform Role & Scope of Services

• 3.1. Facilitator:

• Al Ujrat acts as a marketplace to connect Employers and Freelancers. We provide tools for posting, bidding, communication, payment facilitation, and dispute resolution.

• 3.2. No Guarantee of Services:

• Al Ujrat does not directly offer or perform the services listed by Freelancers, nor does it guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or outcome of services provided by Freelancers or the accuracy of User Content. Employers and Freelancers contract directly with each other.

• 3.3. No Skill Verification (Currently):

1. Al Ujrat does not currently conduct independent verification of Freelancers’ skills, licenses, or credentials, beyond the identity verification described in Section 2.2. Users are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence.

4. User Obligations

• 4.1. Employer Obligations:

• • Provide accurate, complete, and clear descriptions for Projects and Jobs.
  • Communicate professionally and respectfully with Freelancers.
  • Make timely payments for services rendered as per the agreed terms and Section 5 (Financial Terms).
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

• 4.2. Freelancer Obligations:

• • Accurately represent your skills, experience, and qualifications in your profile and bids.
  • Perform services professionally, diligently, and to a reasonable standard of quality.
  • Complete Projects and Services within the agreed-upon timeframe.
  • Communicate professionally and respectfully with Employers.
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

• 4.3. Prohibited Conduct:

• Users shall not:
  
  • Post or solicit any illegal services or engage in illegal activities.
  • Post or solicit any services or work that is inherently unsafe or violates health and safety regulations.
  • Infringe upon any third-party’s intellectual property rights.
  • Create false accounts or misrepresent their identity.
  • Engage in fraudulent activities, spamming, or harassment.
  • Attempt to circumvent Al Ujrat’s fee structure, payment system, or dispute resolution process, including by soliciting or making payments or agreements off-platform for services initiated or discussed on the Platform.
  • Share direct contact information prematurely to facilitate off-platform transactions.
  • Post any User Content that is defamatory, obscene, offensive, or discriminatory.

• 4.4. Reporting Violations:

• Users are encouraged to report any suspected violations of these Terms, including solicitations for off-platform transactions or fraudulent activity, to Al Ujrat support through the designated reporting channels on the Platform or by contacting support@alujrat.com.

• 4.5. Content Review:

• Al Ujrat reserves the right, but not the obligation, to review User Content, including Project and Job postings, before they are made public. We may remove or refuse to post any content that, in our sole discretion, violates these Terms or is otherwise deemed inappropriate. However, Users remain primarily responsible for the legality and appropriateness of their content.

5. Financial Terms

• 5.1. Fees Payable by Employers:

• • Initial Platform Fees:

  • • Project Posting Fee: PKR 40 for a standard Project post; PKR 100 for a featured Project post.
    • Job Posting Fee (Standard): 1% of the maximum monthly salary offered for the Job.
    • Optional Urgent Job Post Surcharge: Additional PKR 250.
    • Optional Featured Job Post Surcharge: Additional PKR 500.
    • These initial platform fees are non-refundable.

  • Transaction Service Fees:

  • • Hiring Fee (for Projects): Upon hiring a Freelancer for a Project, the Employer will pay the agreed Project amount plus a service fee of 4% of the Project amount to Al Ujrat.
    • Service Purchase Fee (for Listed Services): When purchasing a listed Service from a Freelancer, the Employer will pay the listed Service price plus a service fee of 5% of the Service price to Al Ujrat.
    • The handling of these Transaction Service Fees in case of cancellations or disputes is detailed in our Refund & Return Policy.

• 5.2. Fees Payable by Freelancers:

• • Subscription Fee:

  • To view and bid on Project postings, Freelancers are required to pay a monthly subscription fee of PKR 1000. Viewing Job postings is free.

  • Commission Fee:

  • Al Ujrat will deduct a commission of 10% from the total Project amount or Service price paid by the Employer. This commission is deducted when funds are released to the Freelancer’s Al Ujrat account. For partial refunds processed through disputes, commission will only apply to the amount the Freelancer actually receives.

  • Service Listing Fee:

  • PKR 300 for a standard Service listing; PKR 800 for a featured Service listing. Add-ons to services are currently free but may be subject to fees in the future.

  • Job Application Fee:

  • PKR 100 to apply for a Job posting.
  • Initial platform fees paid by Freelancers (Subscription Fee, Service Listing Fee, Job Application Fee) are non-refundable.

• 5.3. Payment Processing:

• Payments will be processed through Al Ujrat’s designated payment gateways. Accepted payment methods include bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and mobile wallets available in Pakistan.

• 5.4. Taxes:

• All fees are exclusive of any applicable taxes (e.g., sales tax, GST, income tax). Users are responsible for their own tax obligations. Freelancers acknowledge that a withholding tax (e.g., approximately 2-3% or as per prevailing government regulations) may be deducted by payment processors or banks upon withdrawal of earnings.

• 5.5. Fund Holding and Release (Escrow-like Function):

• • When an Employer funds a Project or purchases a Service, Al Ujrat will hold these funds.
  • Al Ujrat will hold these funds in a dedicated account, separate from its operational funds. Al Ujrat will not use these held funds for its own operational purposes or investments, nor will it earn interest on these funds for its own benefit.
  • Funds will be released to the Freelancer’s Al Ujrat account upon confirmation from the Employer that the Project or Service has been completed satisfactorily, or as determined through the dispute resolution process (Section 7) and in accordance with our Refund & Return Policy.

• 5.6. Withdrawals for Freelancers:

• • Freelancers can request to withdraw their earnings from their Al Ujrat account once funds are cleared and available.
  • Al Ujrat does not charge a fee for withdrawals, but minimum withdrawal amounts may apply as per payment gateway policies.
  • Withdrawal processing times may vary depending on the chosen method and bank processing times.

• 5.7. No Circumvention & Penalties for Violations:

• Users agree not to circumvent the payment methods, fee structure, or dispute resolution processes offered by the Platform.
  
  • Any attempt to transact outside the Platform for services initiated or discussed on the Platform, or to otherwise avoid platform fees through manipulation of the cancellation or dispute processes, constitutes a serious violation of these Terms.
  • If Al Ujrat determines, in its sole discretion, that a Freelancer has engaged in off-platform collusion or attempted to circumvent fees, Al Ujrat reserves the right to impose a penalty. This penalty may include, but is not limited to, charging an additional fee equivalent to 10% of the value of the Freelancer’s next successfully completed project (calculated on up to PKR 10,000 of that project’s value for the penalty amount), or other account actions as described in Section 10.

• 5.8. Fee Modifications:

• Al Ujrat reserves the right to change its fees or introduce new charges upon reasonable notice, which may be provided by posting the changes on the Platform or via email.

6. Contractual Relationship Between Employer and Freelancer

• 6.1. Direct Contract:

• When an Employer and a Freelancer agree on a Project, Service, or Job, they are entering into a direct contractual relationship with each other. Al Ujrat is not a party to this contract.

• 6.2. Terms of Service:

• The terms of the specific service agreement between an Employer and a Freelancer are defined by the Project description, Service listing, bid details, Job posting, and any messages exchanged through the Platform, all of which are subject to these overarching Al Ujrat Terms & Conditions, our Refund & Return Policy, and our Privacy Policy. Al Ujrat does not provide template service agreements for individual engagements.

7. Dispute Resolution

• 7.1. Project/Service Cancellations:

• All project or service cancellations must be formally initiated by one of the parties (Employer or Freelancer) through the Al Ujrat Platform. There is no informal “mutual cancellation” process where users can independently agree to terminate a project and settle funds outside of Al Ujrat’s defined procedures. The initiating party may be subject to costs or penalties as defined in our Refund & Return Policy. The aim of this policy is to ensure all project cessations are formally recorded and processed by Al Ujrat, and to discourage off-platform agreements.

• 7.2. User-to-User Disputes:

• Employers and Freelancers are encouraged to first attempt to resolve any disagreements amicably between themselves through platform communication.

• 7.3. Al Ujrat Mediation:

• If a dispute arises regarding a Project or Service (e.g., quality of work, non-completion, payment issues, cancellation disagreements) that cannot be resolved directly, either party may raise a formal dispute through the Platform.

• 7.4. Process:

• • Upon a dispute being raised, any held funds related to that Project/Service may be temporarily frozen by Al Ujrat.
  • Al Ujrat’s support team will review the dispute and may request evidence from both parties (e.g., communication logs, proof of work, project specifications). Parties are expected to respond to requests for information in a timely manner.

  • Non-Response:

  • If a party fails to respond to three (3) consecutive notifications from Al Ujrat regarding an active dispute within the timeframe specified in each notification (typically 48-72 hours per notification), Al Ujrat reserves the right to resolve the dispute in favour of the responsive party, based on the information available.
  • Al Ujrat will make a decision based on the evidence provided and its policies (including these Terms and the Refund & Return Policy). This decision may involve releasing the funds to the Employer or Freelancer, a partial release, application of penalties, or other appropriate actions as detailed in the Refund & Return Policy.
  • Al Ujrat’s dispute resolution service is provided in good faith. The decision made by Al Ujrat’s support team in a dispute will be considered final and binding to the extent permitted by law for the purposes of fund release and account actions on the Platform.

• 7.5. Future Enhancements:

• Al Ujrat may incorporate AI-assisted tools in the future to help with dispute resolution, always with human oversight for final decisions.

8. Intellectual Property

• 8.1. Al Ujrat’s IP:

• The Platform, its design, features, and underlying technology, including all software, text, graphics, logos, and trademarks, are the property of Al Ujrat or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

• 8.2. User Content:

• • Users retain ownership of the intellectual property rights in their User Content.
  • By submitting User Content to the Platform, you grant Al Ujrat a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the User Content in connection with operating and promoting the Platform and Al Ujrat’s services. This includes displaying your profile, project descriptions, and service listings to other Users.

• 8.3. Aggregated Data:

• Al Ujrat may use anonymized and aggregated data derived from User Content and Platform usage for analytical, statistical, and promotional purposes, ensuring no personally identifiable information is disclosed.

• 8.4. Data Deletion:

• User data retention and deletion are governed by our Privacy Policy.

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

• 9.1. Platform “As Is”:

• The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available” without any warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

• 9.2. No Guarantee of Connections or Outcomes:

• Al Ujrat makes no representations or warranties regarding the reliability, timeliness, quality, suitability, or availability of any services requested or offered through the Platform, or that the Platform will be uninterrupted or error-free.

• 9.3. User Interactions:

• Al Ujrat is not responsible for the conduct, whether online or offline, of any User of the Platform. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other Users. We do not conduct criminal background checks on Users but reserve the right to do so.

• 9.4. Limitation of Liability:

• • To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Al Ujrat shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from:
    
    • (i) your access to or use of or inability to access or use the Platform;
    • (ii) any conduct or content of any third party on the Platform, including without limitation, any defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of other Users or third parties;
    • (iii) any content obtained from the Platform; or
    • (iv) unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content.
  • Al Ujrat’s liability for any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform will not exceed the greater of (a) the total fees paid by you to Al Ujrat in the six months preceding the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) PKR 5,000 (Five Thousand Pakistani Rupees).

• 9.5. Job Site Safety & Service Quality:

• Al Ujrat is not responsible for the safety of job sites or the quality of work performed by Freelancers. Employers are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment where applicable, and for verifying the suitability of Freelancers.

10. Account Actions: Suspension, Termination, and Other Penalties

• 10.1. By Al Ujrat:

• We may, in our sole discretion, without prior notice, take action against your account, including but not limited to issuing a warning, temporarily restricting access, imposing a temporary ban, deactivating your account, suspending your account, removing your membership, or permanently terminating your account and access to the Platform if:
  
  • You breach any of these Terms, our Refund & Return Policy, or our Privacy Policy.
  • We suspect or confirm fraudulent, abusive, manipulative, or illegal activity, including attempts to circumvent platform fees or processes.
  • You receive multiple (e.g., 3-5 or more) verified negative reviews or complaints indicating a pattern of poor performance or misconduct.
  • Your conduct is harmful to other Users, the Platform, or Al Ujrat’s reputation.
  • Required by law or competent authority.

• 10.2. Effect of Termination/Suspension:

• Upon termination or suspension, your right to use the Platform may immediately cease or be restricted. Any provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive (including, without limitation, ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability). Al Ujrat also reserves the right to apply financial penalties as outlined in these Terms, even if your account is suspended or terminated.

11. Modification of Terms

• Al Ujrat reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of any significant changes by posting the new Terms on the Platform, sending you an email, or through platform notifications. Your continued use of the Platform after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

• These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Pakistan. Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms will be brought exclusively in the competent courts located in Okara, Punjab, Pakistan, or such other jurisdiction as Al Ujrat may determine based on its primary business registration and operational headquarters. You hereby irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts.

13. General Provisions

• 13.1. Entire Agreement:

• These Terms, together with the Refund & Return Policy and Privacy Policy, and any other legal notices published by Al Ujrat on the Platform, shall constitute the entire agreement between you and Al Ujrat concerning the Platform.

• 13.2. Severability:

• If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.

• 13.3. No Waiver:

• No waiver of any term of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term, and Al Ujrat’s failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

• 13.4. Assignment:

• These Terms, and any rights and licenses granted hereunder, may not be transferred or assigned by you, but may be assigned by Al Ujrat without restriction.

• 13.5. Notices:

  Al Ujrat may provide you with notices, including those regarding changes to the Terms, by email, posting on the Platform, or through in-app notifications.

14. Contact Information

• If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at: support@alujrat.com or legal@alujrat.com.