More employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD: Thrilling news for Pakistani workers seeking employment overseas, as Saudi Arabia is poised to open its doors to more Pakistani workers following the signing of the historic defense agreement last month.

Pakistan is set to double its exports of manpower to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the pact.

Up to mid-2025, approximately 500k Pakistanis travel to Arab countries annually.

However, with the new deals on the table, that figure will likely jump to one million next year, officials at the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BEOE) said.

Saudi Arabian remittances have already been on the rise, growing from $7.39 billion in 2020 to $8.59 billion in 2024, which is a huge indicator of Pakistani labor’s high demand.

Kingdom’s mega-projects under Vision 2030 and efforts for preparation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup are creating demands for laborers in construction, hospitality, healthcare, and delivery companies.

Pakistani government is also introducing amazing new initiatives to facilitate work in Saudi Arabia.

Under this, technical training institutes will enhance skills and qualifications, and there is proposed fast-track e-visa mechanism is proposed for Pakistani laborers.

Additionally, collaborations with NAVTTC and Takamol will certify laborers in 62 qualified trades.

Authorities referred to it as a golden opportunity for Pakistani laborers, stating that overseas employment brings remittances home, expertise, and skill.

KSA continues to be the largest destination for Pakistani labor and the leading source of remittances, with $736.7 million sent back in August alone.

Simultaneously, labor demand elsewhere in the Gulf is in flux, providing Pakistani workers with a distinct advantage in the Kingdom.