The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development has substantially strengthened the employment opportunities and welfare protection of overseas Pakistanis as a result of improvements introduced to its systems in 2025. Taking advantage of the facilities provided by the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment, the number of Pakistani workers sent abroad recorded a 5 percent increase compared to the previous year. According to the Ministry’s statistics, a total of 762,499 individuals were provided overseas employment opportunities in 2025. These figures reflect the successful expansion of the national workforce on the global stage and the effectiveness of the government’s proactive policies.
A noteworthy increase was also observed in remittances sent by Pakistani workers residing abroad. The Ministry reports that remittances grew by 9 percent in 2025, reaching approximately USD 40 billion. This growth is of critical importance to the national economy, as it bolsters foreign exchange reserves, supports the repayment of external debt, and plays a pivotal role in poverty alleviation as well as development projects. These remittances constitute a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic stability and clearly demonstrate the growing contribution of overseas Pakistanis to the national economy.
During 2025, the Ministry signed labour mobility agreements with several friendly countries, including Italy, Belarus, and Iraq. These agreements have opened pathways for dignified employment, improved worker welfare, and safe migration for the Pakistani workforce. Notably, Italy has allocated a three-year quota for Pakistan, under which a total of 10,500 workers will be provided employment opportunities. This quota represents Italy’s first quota-based labour mechanism for Pakistan and will offer annual employment to approximately 3,500 individuals in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, agriculture, and shipbreaking. Furthermore, Qatar resumed the issuance of work visas for Pakistani workers after a gap of 19 years, thereby further expanding access to Gulf countries.
To ensure effective oversight and transparency, the Ministry introduced the E-Protector System, as a result of which the licences of 71 Overseas Employment Promoters were cancelled due to poor performance. This measure has protected aspiring migrant workers from exploitation and significantly enhanced transparency within the system. Additionally, a standardized Pre-Departure Orientation Programme was implemented, and for the first time, a mandatory web-based Soft Skills Training Module was introduced to better prepare workers for overseas work environments. Under welfare initiatives, the marriage grant was increased from PKR 400,000 to PKR 600,000, while the death grant was raised from PKR 800,000 to PKR 1,000,000. An insurance scheme for accidental death and disability was also launched, providing coverage of up to PKR 2 million, a funeral grant of PKR 50,000, and expenses for repatriation of remains.
In 2025, the Ministry organized the first Overseas Pakistanis Convention, with the second convention scheduled for April 2026. On 14 August 2025, 16 overseas Pakistanis were honoured with civil awards for the first time. Laws pertaining to the establishment of special courts for the legal protection of overseas Pakistanis were passed by the federal, Punjab, and Balochistan assemblies, which will expedite the resolution of property disputes. All these measures have been undertaken to promote dignified employment abroad, safeguard the rights and welfare of workers, and further reinforce the role of overseas Pakistanis in strengthening the national economy. The Ministry states that these statistics clearly highlight the central importance of overseas Pakistanis in the country’s development, with expectations of continued improvement in the coming years.