ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is working to increase the number of skilled workers heading to Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom pushes forward with its Vision 2030 economic plan.
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, said Islamabad aims to train more workers to meet Saudi Arabia’s growing demand for skilled labor. His remarks followed his participation in the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC) in Riyadh.
Pakistanis form one of the largest migrant communities in Saudi Arabia, with 2.64 million working there as of 2023. About 97% are blue-collar workers. However, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is shifting the economy toward modernization, increasing demand for skilled professionals in sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, tourism, and IT.
To meet this demand, Pakistan is implementing a new education policy aimed at training at least one million youth annually. The policy focuses on technical skills to enhance employment opportunities in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia.
“Efforts are being made to further increase the number of skilled workers,” Hussain said after the conference. “Saudi Arabia values Pakistani workers and skilled professionals.”
The GLMC brings together policymakers, labor leaders, and business experts to discuss global workforce trends. This year’s event features over 180 speakers, 5,000 participants, and 70 international ministers.
Hussain emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to collaborating with experts to enhance its labor market. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s preference for Pakistani workers and said the Saudi company Takamul plans to expand operations in Pakistan, partnering with universities to enhance workforce training.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, urged Pakistan to seize job opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s construction, IT, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.
“The next two years will be crucial for Pakistan in expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia,” Farooq said during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He warned that Pakistan must act quickly to secure its share of the Saudi job market. “If we do not claim our share immediately, it will be taken by competitors,” he said, stressing the need for workforce training aligned with Saudi requirements.
