NA Overseas Body informed: Country produces roughly 800,000 graduates every year

ISLAMABAD: Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Development Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary has said that Pakistan produces approximately 800,000 university graduates annually, while the skilled workforce output remains comparatively low.

The federal secretary informed this in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, chaired by Syed Rafiullah, MNA.

The federal secretary said that remittances continue to rise and efforts are under way to strengthen digital systems and labour diplomacy. The meeting also comprehensively reviewed overseas facilitation mechanisms, with particular focus on the performance of Community Welfare Attachés (CWAs) and issues relating to overseas employment and educational recognition abroad. The committee emphasised that skill-based workforce development must be significantly expanded.

The committee received detailed briefings from CWAs posted in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia. The CWA Japan highlighted that Pakistan is among a limited number of countries having formal arrangements with Japan; however, labour market penetration remains modest due to significant language barriers and skills gaps.

The committee was informed that most Pakistani workers fall within lower tiers of Japanese language proficiency, limiting access to higher-skilled opportunities. Members expressed concern over the absence of structured, Japan-specific skill and language centres comparable to those established by regional competitors. The committee deliberated extensively on the need for a national strategy integrating skill development, language training, and cultural orientation. It was observed that despite repeated acknowledgments of systemic challenges over the years, implementation of structured awareness and training mechanisms remains inadequate. The chair directed that awareness seminars, beginning with a proposed session in Karachi, be organised to prepare prospective migrants for emerging markets.

During the discussion on South Korea, the committee was apprised that approximately 30,000 Pakistanis reside there. While Pakistan maintains an agreement with Korea and secured jobs during the reported period, concerns were raised regarding retention rates and employer reluctance stemming from premature job abandonment by some workers. The Ministry informed the committee that privacy laws in Korea limit data access regarding employment discontinuation. Members nonetheless stressed that behavioural and compliance issues must be addressed through pre-departure orientation and strict screening.

In respect of Malaysia, the committee was informed that approximately 100,000 Pakistanis reside there, with an estimated 30,000 undocumented. A recruitment ban imposed since August 2024 has adversely affected job placements. The committee was apprised of existing MOUs, including social security arrangements and a proposed prisoner transfer agreement.

The committee also discussed the allocation and rationale of CWA postings. Members sought clarity regarding the criteria for stationing CWAs in countries with relatively fewer labour disputes compared to high-risk jurisdictions.

The committee examined the issue of recognition of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) degrees/certificates in Bahrain. The committee expressed reservations over the absence of senior representatives from relevant institutions. The Director, AIOU, informed the committee that the issue was temporary and has since been resolved. The Ministry clarified that certain teaching qualifications had faced temporary non-recognition, but the matter now stands addressed. The chair welcomed the resolution, observing that timely intervention by the committee and the Ministry facilitated corrective action and safeguarded the interests of Pakistani professionals abroad.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026