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Increase in Overseas Employment of Pakistanis in 2022-2023
According to the data presented during the National Assembly of Pakistan session on Wednesday, more Pakistanis traveled abroad for employment in 2022-2023 than in previous years.
These figures emerged after Member of National Assembly and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Aslam Ghamman submitted a notice regarding the involvement of Pakistanis in prostitution-related activities in Gulf countries.
In response to the notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis Ehsanul Haq Bajwa stated that in 2023, approximately 860,000 people were legally sent abroad for employment.
Ehsan-ul-Haq highlighted that ‘compared to previous years, most Pakistanis have sought employment abroad in 2022-2023.’
Around 426,000 individuals traveled to Saudi Arabia, 229,000 to the United Arab Emirates, 60,000 to Oman, 55,000 to Qatar, 13,000 to Bahrain, and 75,000 to other countries. Additionally, 15,000 Pakistanis found employment in European nations.
The Parliamentary Secretary emphasized that ‘Pakistanis living abroad contribute approximately 30 billion dollars in foreign exchange to the country each year, representing valuable capital for our nation.’
Ehsan-ul-Haq Bajwa addressed the issue of visa closures linked to corruption, explaining that individual countries have specific policies that may lead to visa restrictions. He stated, “They can obtain explanations from the respective countries regarding the visa blockages.”
He affirmed, “We have a robust legal framework for sending Pakistanis abroad for employment, with licensed promoters operating under the Ordinance of 1979, ensuring proper verifications before sending individuals overseas.”
Bajwa further asserted that ‘the likelihood of individuals who went abroad for work engaging in illicit activities is minimal. To date, neither Pakistan’s embassy nor any institution abroad has provided data indicating that Pakistanis engage in such practices overseas.’
Major Destinations for Pakistani Workers
Most Pakistanis traveled to Saudi Arabia this year.
According to information provided to Independent Urdu by the Bureau of Immigration, a total of 422,487 individuals have traveled abroad by August this year.
Data indicates that 245,000 Pakistanis have gone to Saudi Arabia, while 56,000 opted for the United Arab Emirates.
Furthermore, 42,000 went to Oman, 21,000 to Qatar, and 6,000 to Europe thus far this year.
In 2021, 286,000, and in 2022, 829,000 Pakistanis ventured abroad for employment opportunities.
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Employment, marking a significant increase compared to the previous years. This rise in overseas employment can be attributed to various factors, including demand for labor in different sectors, government initiatives to facilitate overseas job placement, and economic conditions in Pakistan that push individuals to seek better opportunities abroad.
Ehsanul Haq Bajwa emphasized the importance of regulating the overseas employment process to prevent exploitation and ensure that Pakistani workers are respected in their host countries. He also highlighted efforts being made to promote legal and safe channels for employment abroad, reducing the chances of Pakistanis falling victim to illegal practices or exploitative circumstances.
The session also addressed concerns about human trafficking and illegal employment practices that have surfaced as a result of the increasing outflow of workers. The government is committed to enhancing its monitoring and regulatory frameworks to protect its citizens and uphold their rights during the employment process overseas.
the increase in overseas employment reflects both the aspirations of many Pakistanis for better economic prospects and the challenges that come along with migration for work, necessitating a balanced approach to manage this trend effectively.
