More than 172,000 Pakistanis have left the country in search of employment opportunities in various countries, predominantly in the Gulf states, according to updated statistics from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE). From January to March 2025, a total of 172,144 Pakistani emigrant workers moved to over 50 different countries, averaging 57,381 departures each month.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) led the way, receiving over 121,940 workers, which accounts for 70% of the total manpower exports. Other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries also saw significant numbers, with Qatar welcoming 12,998 workers, Bahrain 9,139, and Oman 8,331. However, emigration to the UAE has notably declined, with only 6,891 workers departing, attributed to frequent changes in visa processes and emigration policies.
Ibrahim Amin, a consultant for the banking sector focused on overseas Pakistanis, emphasized the need for authorities to establish a forum that includes overseas employment promoters, diplomatic missions, and organizations in various countries. This forum would provide aspiring workers with updated information on employment and visa policies, particularly for the UAE and KSA.
Amin also suggested implementing a screening mechanism to prevent the migration of individuals with criminal records or those involved in scams. He urged the government to facilitate expatriate Pakistanis in GCC countries to enhance remittance inflows through banking channels.
He noted that remittance inflows could exceed $1 billion from both the UAE and KSA if expatriates were encouraged to open bank accounts with Pakistani banks operating in these countries. Currently, over 4.4 million non-resident Pakistanis reside in the UAE and KSA, but many blue-collar workers lack bank accounts, relying instead on informal channels like Hawala and Hundi to send money home.
Despite multiple Pakistani banks operating in the UAE and KSA, stringent regulations regarding deposits, such as the requirement for a minimum amount of 5,000 Dirhams or Riyals, pose significant barriers to account ownership. Amin called for commercial banks to enhance their services for non-resident Pakistanis to attract remittances from informal to formal channels.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), remittances from the KSA and UAE are substantial, averaging over $700 million and $600 million per month, respectively, contributing to a total of $3 billion in remittances.
