NA panel told: Visa issues resolved through productive talks with Kuwait

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel was informed on Tuesday that Pakistan’s employment prospects in Kuwait have taken a promising turn, following the resolution of visa-related hiccups through productive negotiations with Kuwaiti authorities.

During a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, and Human Resource Development, chaired by Agha Rafiullah, the officials disclosed that a high-level technical delegation had successfully ironed out visa issues, granting Pakistan a solid foothold in Kuwait’s job market.

However, not all was rosy as the committee members voiced concerns over the recurring nature of these challenges, stressing that Pakistan must overhaul its international image and demonstrate greater commitment to complying with foreign regulations.

They pointed out that Pakistan simply can’t afford to sit back and bask in past successes if it hopes to stay ahead in a world that is constantly shifting its gears.

The committee also cast a critical eye on the broader landscape of overseas employment, worker welfare, and the efficacy of Community Welfare Attachés (CWAs) stationed in key destinations.

Expressing dismay over the CWAs’ poor performance, committee members pointed out that Pakistani workers abroad continue to face severe hardships – from exploitative recruitment to deportations – with CWAs seemingly unable to make any real difference.

The panel underscored the urgent need for Pakistan to strengthen its regulatory framework and improve worker education on local laws, particularly those concerning drug and financial crimes.

In a separate briefing on Saudi Arabia, committee members were given an update on the enormous scale of the Pakistani expatriate community, with millions of Pakistanis calling the Kingdom home.

CWAs offered insights into their welfare initiatives, including resolving labour disputes, securing overdue end-of-service benefits, and facilitating the repatriation of stranded or deceased workers.

However, the committee raised concerns over Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, warning that it has intensified competition from other labour-exporting nations.

Members insisted on the need for a sharper focus on labour market analysis and more robust engagement with employers, particularly within the framework of major development projects in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis revealed plans to introduce digital reporting systems to enhance real-time data analysis, offering the potential to fine-tune employment targets with greater precision.

Turning to the UAE, CWAs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai briefed the panel on welfare cases, including the repatriation of deceased workers and various labour complaints.

Members raised concerns over visit visa misuse and jurisdictional issues in white-collar crime cases, especially with Pakistan and the UAE still lacking a formal labour agreement.

On the South Korean front, recruitment issues related to welders were also under the spotlight.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026