STAFF REPORTER
KARACHI: In a bid to capitalize on improving job prospects worldwide and address the prevailing economic crisis at home, Pakistan plans to increase its annual manpower exports to one million, according to a government official. The country, grappling with an economic meltdown that has led to surging inflation and a balance of payments crisis, exported 830,000 workers in 2022, primarily to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The youth, seeking brighter futures, are among those leaving the country, with doctors, engineers, and skilled laborers looking for better opportunities abroad. While some experts view this as a brain drain caused by a lack of industrial activities and job prospects within Pakistan, others see it as a normal foreign employment process. To further increase manpower exports, experts suggest providing proper training, including language skills, to cater to the demand for professionals in countries like Germany, Poland, Romania, England, as well as the Gulf region.