LAHORE:
Poor economic and political conditions, repeated internet shutdowns, rising unemployment and inflation have driven over 317,000 Pakistanis to seek employment abroad, including doctors, software engineers, IT specialists, petroleum and mechanical engineers, paramedical staff and technicians.
Thousands more are preparing to leave and are being forced to visit various government offices to complete the required travel and employment documentation.
Those departing for overseas jobs are also reportedly facing difficulties at airports, including Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, as well as airports in Karachi, Islamabad and other cities. Even as they leave the country in search of employment and to contribute billions of dollars to Pakistan through remittances, they pay billions of rupees in various fees to the national exchequer.
The deteriorating employment situation, heavy taxation and lack of technological infrastructure have contributed towards a significant rise in the number of Pakistanis seeking work abroad.
According to official figures, 317,436 Pakistanis left the country for employment during the first six months of 2026, from January to June.
Saudi Arabia was the top destination, with 183,951 Pakistani workers travelling there for employment. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranked second with 50,773 workers, followed by Qatar with 34,025, Bahrain with 13,329 and Türkiye with 4,673. Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom and Malaysia were also among the countries attracting significant numbers of Pakistani workers.
According to the report, 316,848 workers registered for overseas employment through the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE), while 588 secured jobs through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC).
Experts said the large number of Pakistanis seeking employment abroad could have a significant impact on the economy by boosting remittances. The exodus also includes a substantial number of doctors, engineers and students.
Speaking to Express News, experts said Pakistan suffers from a lack of technological infrastructure and research centers. They questioned how the country could compete globally when internet services can be suspended at any time or operate at extremely slow speeds.
They also pointed to the high cost of higher education, saying that when becoming highly educated requires millions, and in some cases tens of millions, of rupees, it becomes difficult for young people to advance.
Students who travelled to Canada, Europe and the United States on scholarships said they hoped to return after completing their higher education, but would assess whether conditions in Pakistan were conducive to doing so.
