More than 740,000 Pakistanis legally migrated abroad for employment this year, surpassing last year’s 727,000, despite rising complaints about forced offloading from outbound flights, even when travelers had complete and valid documents. The increase highlights growing demand for Pakistani workers in international labor markets while underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by overseas job seekers.
According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources, a total of 344,938 overseas job opportunities were announced during 2025, of which 195,963 positions were filled. Meanwhile, 148,975 opportunities remain available, showing that many employment options are still open under the ministry’s framework, providing Pakistani workers with avenues to enhance their income and gain international experience.
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Official data shows that in just the first 15 days of December 2025, 37,201 individuals registered for overseas employment. Overall, a total of 6,186,292 people registered for foreign jobs throughout the year, with a large portion being unskilled workers numbering around 420,000, while only 2,731 were skilled, 13,451 highly skilled, and 15,359 highly qualified, indicating a continuing imbalance in workforce composition.
Complaints about forced offloading persisted throughout the year, prompting government action. In response, the Prime Minister formed a 14-member committee chaired by Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain to review immigration procedures, facilitate online issuance and renewal of Protector of Immigrants stamps, and address procedural hurdles faced by job seekers traveling abroad.
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Authorities also announced that an AI-based immigration system will be installed at Islamabad Airport next month to prevent illegal departures, curb the use of fake travel documents, and improve transparency, efficiency, and security in overseas travel processes. The system is expected to make travel smoother for Pakistani workers and reduce incidents of forced offloading.
The combined measures, including government oversight, improved procedures, and AI technology, aim to ensure safer and more reliable overseas employment for Pakistani workers while meeting the growing global demand for labor from Pakistan. These steps reflect an effort to protect citizens’ rights and streamline access to international job opportunities.