Pakistan’s first national immigration, welfare policy nears completion

Dr. Arshad Mahmood, the Federal Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, announced on Monday that Pakistan is on the verge of finalizing its inaugural National Immigration and Welfare Policy.

This policy, he emphasized, will provide a plethora of promising opportunities for the country’s youth, focusing on their meticulous selection, training, and welfare provisions. Dr. Mahmood made these pivotal announcements while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 2nd Korean Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Laboratory.

He underscored the invaluable contributions of overseas Pakistanis, noting that approximately 10 million individuals currently reside abroad, collectively sending $31 billion in remittances back home.

Dr. Mahmood also highlighted the Ministry’s concerted efforts to restructure itself to better serve the needs of these individuals.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Vice President Kim Sung Jae and Consul General Yi Sungho from Korea, highlighting the enduring economic ties between Pakistan and Korea. Dr. Mahmood commended South Korea’s pragmatic approach and successful system, particularly in selecting and training emerging youth for dignified employment.

He expressed Pakistan’s keenness to replicate the Korean model in other countries, emphasizing the potential for Pakistani youth to become successful entrepreneurs upon their return. Furthermore, Dr. Mahmood shed light on the welfare support provided to departing youth through the “Welfare Portal,” ensuring their well-being while abroad. Reflecting on the significant number of Pakistanis employed in South Korea, he stressed the country’s prominence in the G20 economies and its leadership in sectors like semiconductors and knowledge-based industries.

Additionally, Dr. Mahmood mentioned an upcoming visit from a European Union delegation, indicating their interest in hiring Pakistani youth for employment in EU countries.

Consul General Yi Sungho reiterated the strengthening economic ties between Pakistan and Korea, emphasizing the mutual benefits derived from people-to-people exchanges. He expressed Korea’s continued need for manpower for sustainable development, hinting at more opportunities for young individuals from Sindh and Balochistan to work in Korea in the future. Vice President Kim Sung Jae also shared insights during the event, further highlighting the collaboration between the two countries in human resource development.