The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis was recently informed about the shifting preferences of Gulf employers towards hiring workforce from countries like Bangladesh instead of Pakistan due to the deplorable standard of Pakistani workforce, especially in the Gulf region. The committee, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, highlighted the government’s negligence in tapping into the potential of the Pakistani diaspora.
The secretary of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Dr Arshad Mahmood, painted a bleak picture of the situation, citing that 50% of the crime rate among UAE labourers is attributed to Pakistanis. He emphasized the need for skill development among the Pakistani labour force to remain competitive in the international market.
With 10.7 million Pakistanis primarily working in Saudi Arabia, UAE, US, UK, and Canada, the committee was also informed about concerns expressed by UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait regarding the behavior of some Pakistanis in their countries. Issues such as organised beggar gangs operating in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, as well as Pakistanis living illegally in various countries, were also discussed.
The committee members stressed the importance of addressing these issues and providing necessary support to overseas Pakistanis. The ministry was urged to play a proactive role in ensuring the welfare and rights of Pakistani expatriates.
Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2024
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