News Desk
KARACHI — Pakistan’s export of manpower surged past 615,000 in the first 10 months of 2025, a record outflow that underscores the country’s worsening economic distress. Yet behind the headline numbers lies a harsher reality: thousands of Pakistanis face punishing hurdles in their pursuit of livelihoods overseas, from complex visa regimes to humiliating airport offloading.
According to official data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, 615,055 workers left Pakistan between January and October, averaging more than 61,000 departures each month. That pace nearly matches last year’s total of 727,381, reflecting the country’s deepening reliance on overseas employment as inflation and joblessness at home push families to borrow heavily for migration opportunities.
Saudi Arabia remains the dominant destination, taking in 431,545 Pakistani professionals and skilled workers this year. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates followed with 53,103 and 36,433 arrivals, respectively, cementing the Gulf’s role as the primary hub for Pakistani labour.
The multibillion-dollar development projects reshaping Saudi Arabia, which have opened doors for Pakistani engineers, IT specialists, and construction managers.
But for many, the journey abroad is fraught with obstacles. Applicants struggle through confusing documentation requirements, inconsistent scrutiny, and frequent rejections. Even valid labour visas are sometimes disregarded, forcing workers to attempt riskier routes through third countries. New mandates introduced in 2025, including additional certifications, have further tightened access.
Airport offloading has intensified, disproportionately affecting younger travellers under 30. Families who borrow hundreds of thousands of rupees for tickets, visas, and agent fees often see their investments vanish when migrants are barred from boarding flights.
Skill mismatches compound the problem. Weak résumés, poor English proficiency, and limited technical training leave many Pakistanis earning less than their counterparts from China or India. Exploitation and abuse remain widespread in Middle Eastern workplaces, despite government pledges of reform.
Despite these challenges, remittances continue to buoy Pakistan’s fragile economy. Between January and October, overseas workers sent home $7.9 billion, a vital source of foreign exchange. Experts argue that Pakistan could strengthen its global standing by aligning labour strategies with sustainability and digitization trends, while building skill-matching frameworks with partners such as Saudi Arabia, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Outside the Gulf, Pakistani migration to developed countries remains steady. This year, 3,726 workers moved to the United Kingdom and 833 to the United States, destinations that typically attract highly qualified professionals. Many first arrive for higher education before transitioning into employment through post-study or specialized work permits.
Pakistan’s migration boom reflects both opportunity and desperation. While Gulf states continue to absorb record numbers of workers, the country’s outdated education system, weak protections, and burdensome bureaucracy leave many migrants vulnerable. For policymakers, the challenge is clear: transform migration from a survival strategy into a structured engine of national development.
