Manpower export from Pakistan to the Gulf countries has recorded a significant increase during the first 10 months of 2019.

According to the information released by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, more than 258,215 Pakistanis traveled to Saudi Arabia in search of employment in different sectors.

Manpower export to Saudi Arabia in 2019 has increased by more than 207% when compared to last year. In the first 10 months of 2018, only 84,091 Pakistani went to Saudi Arabia looking for various opportunities, according to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment.

From January to October 2019, around 176,947 Pakistanis traveled to the UAE in search of jobs, recording a 1.7% increase from last year.

The number of Pakistanis going to Oman increased by 5.8% as 23,998 workers went there. The number stood at 22,668 in the same period last year.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, has played a key role in increasing the manpower export to the Gulf countries.

Zulfikar Bukhari formally requested Saudi King to employ Pakistani manpower in the billion-dollar project of New Taif City.

Saudi Arabia responded by allowing recruitment of Pakistani manpower through the Kingdom’s digital portal ‘Musaned’. Saudi Arabia launched ‘Musaned’ to streamline the recruitment process of manpower.

Moreover, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development will soon connect its digital portal with the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The move will eliminate the role of middle-man in the hiring process.

Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation of UAE will also allow Pakistan to access its labor market database. All the latest job openings in the UAE will be shared with Pakistanis looking for employment opportunities.

Zulfikar Bukhari recently returned to Pakistan after concluding a successful visit of Qatar. During the visit, the Special Assistant to PM met Qatar’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Yousaf Mohamed-Al-Othman Fakhroo. Both discussed potential employment opportunities for Pakistani manpower in the health and energy sectors. SAPM urged Qatari Minister to increase digital connectivity in the recruitment process between both countries.