The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis was informed that the poor standards of the Pakistani workforce, particularly in the Gulf region, have led Gulf employers to prefer hiring workers from other countries, such as Bangladesh, instead of Pakistan.
During a meeting chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, the committee noted that the government has been neglecting the potential of this sector.
Following criticism from committee members about the government’s failure to capitalize on the Pakistani diaspora’s potential, Dr. Arshad Mahmood, Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, presented a concerning overview of the situation. He reported that Pakistani workers are linked to 50% of the crime rate among the UAE labor force.
The committee was also informed that UAE authorities have raised concerns about some Pakistanis engaging in inappropriate behavior, including filming women in Dubai without consent.
Dr. Mahmood highlighted a declining trend in overseas employment for Pakistani workers, pointing out that despite advancements in technology, a large portion of the workforce remains unskilled. This lack of skill development has led to Pakistani workers being replaced by workers from other countries.
Dr. Mahmood noted that skilled labor forces from countries like Bangladesh set an example for Pakistan, which should follow suit. He also mentioned that the Pakistani diaspora, totaling 10.7 million individuals, primarily works in Saudi Arabia, UAE, the US, UK, and Canada.
The committee was informed that the governments of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait have expressed concerns about various issues related to overseas Pakistanis. Additionally, last September, organized gangs of Pakistani beggars were discovered operating in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, having traveled there as pilgrims on Umrah visas. Saudi authorities reported that 90% of all beggars arrested in the country were Pakistani.
Senator Nasir Abbas raised the issue of Pakistanis living illegally in Iraq and questioned if the ministry could assist them, as they often face poor treatment. Senator Zeeshan Khanzada mentioned that many Pakistanis in Italy are living illegally and identify themselves as non-Pakistani, while the Pakistani embassy recognizes them as citizens. He suggested that the ministry should take a proactive role in getting a clearer picture and providing help to stranded Pakistanis.
