Pakistan Aims to Transform Lives with 800,000 Overseas Job Opportunities in 2026

Karachi, Pakistan — January 16, 2026
In what officials describe as one of the most ambitious labour export initiatives in recent years, the Government of Pakistan has announced plans to facilitate overseas employment for 800,000 Pakistani workers during 2026, a marked increase from the roughly 740,000 workers who found jobs abroad in 2025. 

The announcement, made by Chaudhry Salik Hussain, the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, came during a meeting with members of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) in Karachi.

It reflects the leadership’s efforts to both ease domestic unemployment pressures and tap into the strong international demand for Pakistani labour, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and East Asia. 

A Personal Journey Behind the Numbers

For many Pakistani families, the opportunity to work abroad is about more than just income; it is about stability, hope, and a future where children can pursue education and health without constant financial strain.

Take the story of Asma Bibi, a young woman from Faisalabad. After completing her vocational training in hospitality management, she struggled to find suitable employment at home. 

“I wanted work that could help me support my family,” she says. “When I learned that the minimum age for women to seek overseas employment has been lowered from 35 to 25, it felt like a door finally opened for me.” 

This policy shift,  part of a broader push to attract more female workers to the global labour market, marks a significant departure from past practice, when age limits often restricted women’s ability to pursue overseas roles. Officials argue that this change will not only empower women but also boost remittances and contribute to national economic resilience. 

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Skills and Preparation: More than Just a Job

Recognising that global competition for skilled workers is fierce, the government is launching soft-skills and technical training programs. These initiatives are being developed in collaboration with partners in South Korea and Japan, countries known for their structured workforce standards. 

For aspirants like Bilal from Lahore, these training programs are a lifeline. “I have the technical knowledge, but in interviews abroad, communication skills and professional etiquette matter a lot,” he explains. “I’m enrolling in the government-supported training, it gives me confidence that I can compete on the world stage.”

Officials say that improving employability is not just about sending more people abroad; it’s about ensuring they are prepared to succeed and bring back earnings, skills, and experience that can benefit Pakistan in the long run. 

Economic Impact: Remittances and Beyond

Historically, Pakistan’s expatriate workforce has been a pillar of the national economy. Overseas Pakistanis continue to send home billions of dollars in remittances each year, money that supports families, fuels consumption, and stabilises foreign exchange reserves.

One example highlighted by the minister was the average monthly remittance of about $1,800 by Pakistani workers employed in South Korea,  a figure that illustrates the potential economic uplift from higher-value jobs abroad.

Data from recent years show that in 2025, over 700,000 Pakistanis travelled overseas for employment, spanning professions from construction and driving to healthcare and IT services, with countries across the Middle East, Europe, and North America among their destinations. 

Structural Reforms and Worker Protection

In addition to employment targets, the government is pushing structural reforms to protect and support workers overseas. The Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) is being modernised with better investment strategies, digitisation efforts, and an integrated complaints management system connected to key accountability platforms. 

These changes aim to safeguard workers’ interests and ensure smoother coordination between authorities and employers. 

At the same time, authorities have repeatedly warned job seekers to be cautious of fraudulent recruitment schemes. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued advisories about fake job offers, especially in parts of Southeast Asia, where criminal networks have lured unsuspecting workers with promises of high pay but forced them into illegal activities once abroad. 

To counter these threats, measures such as mandatory registration on official platforms like PakSkills have been introduced to verify employment offers and reduce the risk of trafficking and exploitation.

Beyond Numbers: Human Stories and Social Change

The policy shift also signals a broader social change. It acknowledges the aspirations of millions of young Pakistanis who see overseas work not only as a source of income but as a stepping stone to self-reliance.

For the Mohammad family in Multan, sending their son abroad on a work contract means turning the tide of generational debt. “We borrowed to pay for his training and travel,” says the family’s eldest sibling. “But this opportunity could lift all of us toward a more secure future.”

Similarly, older workers in cities like Peshawar reflect on how remittances have enabled their children to study at universities and pursue careers that once seemed out of reach.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the optimism, challenges remain. There have been reports of deportations of Pakistanis from various countries due to visa violations and misuse of work permits,  a stark reminder of the risks involved in international job markets. 

The government’s plan hinges on sustained partnerships with foreign employers, better regulation of recruiters, and continuous investment in skills development. But for many families across Pakistan, these policies are not abstract statistics, they represent real hopes for economic stability, dignity, and opportunity.

As the year unfolds, hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis will embark on journeys that could transform not just their bank accounts, but their identities, aspirations, and futures.