Pakistan minister says over 400 human traffickers arrested amid migrant boat tragedies

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis sent 727,381 skilled laborers to Middle Eastern and European countries in 2024, state-run media reported on Thursday, saying that the “record number” of workers abroad would help diminish unemployment in the country and boost remittances.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries are key destinations for Pakistan’s skilled and unskilled workers, whose remittances are vital to the national economy as the country suffers a prolonged macroeconomic crisis. 

“According to official data, 727,381 skilled laborers have been sent abroad for employment,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report. 

“The majority of these laborers have been employed in countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman, with a significant number also working in European countries.”

The statement highlighted the role of the Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Ministry in sending a record number of skilled laborers abroad last year, crediting its success to “aggressive marketing strategies, improved facilitation and strengthened ties with international employers.”

It said the move would positively impact Pakistan’s economy as more workers abroad means increased remittances to the country and a reduction in unemployment.

“This landmark achievement was a shining testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to providing Pakistani workers with lucrative employment opportunities abroad,” APP added.

A senior Pakistani official said in February that the government was working to bridge the skills gap and enhance the global competitiveness of Pakistani workers, especially in the Middle East job market.

In January, Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain said Islamabad was focused on boosting the number of skilled Pakistanis heading to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for innovative project management and well-trained labor.

Pakistan sends around one million skilled workers abroad annually to help reduce unemployment and boost foreign exchange reserves through remittances.
 

ISLAMABAD: Senior officials of Pakistan and Bahrain’s military leadership on Thursday discussed the prevalent regional situation and ways to increase bilateral cooperation between their forces, Pakistan Army’s media wing said in a statement. 

Lt. Gen. Shaikh Abdulaziz Saud Mubarak Al-Khalifa, the chief of staff of the Bahrain National Guard, called on General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at the Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi. 

The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces, acknowledging their sacrifices in the fight against “terrorism,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said. 

“During the meeting, both military leaders discussed evolving regional environment and related security issues,” the ISPR said. “Furthermore, they emphasized broadening the scope and depth of existing bilateral military engagements and cooperation between both countries.”

Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with most Middle Eastern nations, including Bahrain. Pakistani and Bahraini forces last month took part in a two-week-long joint military exercise, Al-BADAR, in Pakistan’s northwest. 

The interaction between the military leaders takes place days after an 11-member Bahraini parliamentary delegation, led by Bahrain’s Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musalam, arrived in Pakistan to discuss ties between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the delegation on Wednesday, inviting Bahrain’s nationals to invest in the South Asian country. He also called for both countries to increase the volume of their bilateral trade.