In a recent disclosure, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD) reported that over 3.27 million Pakistanis have found employment abroad through official government channels over the past five years. This represents about 1.3% of the country’s population.
The report reveals that the majority of these expatriates have relocated to Saudi Arabia, with more than 1.8 million Pakistani workers moving there. The United Arab Emirates and Oman also emerged as key destinations, employing over 700,000 and 260,000 Pakistanis, respectively.
The data, provided in response to a Senate inquiry, did contain a minor error, including an erroneous entry of 50 workers allegedly sent to Pakistan for employment. This discrepancy has been acknowledged by the ministry.
Overall, the figures underscore the significant role of international employment in addressing domestic labor market challenges and providing economic opportunities for many Pakistanis.
