Over 3.27 million Pakistanis, making up about 1.3% of the country’s population, have gone abroad for employment through official government channels between 2019 and August 2024. This information was provided by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD).
The data shows that the majority of these workers found jobs in Saudi Arabia, with over 1.8 million heading to the kingdom. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the next most popular destination, with more than 700,000 Pakistanis securing employment there.
Oman also attracted a significant number of Pakistani workers, with over 260,000 going to the country for job opportunities.However, there were some errors in the data, including a surprising claim that 50 workers were sent to Pakistan for employment, which was clearly a mistake. These figures were presented in response to a question raised during a Senate session.
The large number of Pakistanis seeking work abroad highlights the importance of overseas employment for the country, as it provides not only job opportunities for individuals but also contributes to remittances, a key source of income for many families and the national economy.
The government continues to facilitate this process, although there is room for improvement in ensuring the accuracy of the data and the smooth functioning of employment programs.
