Overseas Pakistanis Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD : Additional Secretary , Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan welcomed Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Chaudry Salik Hussain at MoFA to chair a meeting on manpower export and streamlining of immigration procedures.
Pakistan has officially launched its National Emigration and Welfare Policy 2026 — an important milestone in strengthening labour migration governance, promoting safe and regular migration pathways, protecting overseas workers, and maximising the development potential of migration for Pakistan’s socio-economic progress.
The Policy marks an important milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to ensure that migration serves as a pathway to opportunity, dignity, and national development.
Developed by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, with support from the European Union through the EU-funded PROTECT project and with ICMPD as technical partner, the Policy sets out a forward-looking framework for safe, orderly and regular emigration, skills development, migrant protection and welfare, diaspora engagement, formal remittance channels, and reintegration of returning migrants.
To structuralize future migration, the policy establishes operational reforms across five core strategic pillars, beginning with safe emigration and skills development.
The government is creating a Labour Market Research Cell, revamping Overseas Employment Promoters regulations, expanding Community Welfare Attaché (CWA) roles, pursuing Talent Partnerships under the EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue, and introducing digital systems like the PAKTOK App, Pak. Emigrant Management Framework, and e-Informed Migration Framework.
Emigration outreach will also expand to underrepresented regions including Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, while Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TEVTA) curricula are aligned with NAVTTC and international bodies through Centres of Excellence (CoEs) with dedicated inclusion for women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented communities.
PM directs restoration of Green Channel to facilitate overseas Pakistanis
The policy further consolidates worker protection, diaspora engagement, and returnee reintegration into its holistic framework. To safeguard workers, the state is establishing an International Call Centre for rapid complaint redressal, dedicated Special Courts for fast-track dispute resolution, retaining local law firms in Destination Countries across the GCC, and introducing an EOBI Pension Scheme alongside education vouchers for workers’ children. Simultaneously, formal remittance channels will be bolstered through the Sohni Dharti Remittance Program (SDRP), Roshan Digital Account (RDA), and Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPCs) to curb informal Hawala/Hundi routes, while returning emigrants will benefit from a comprehensive profiling database, referral networks, and a formal equivalency program to recognize foreign qualifications and skills.
Key Focus Areas for Manpower Export & Emigration
Targeting 2026 Goals: The government set a target to facilitate overseas employment for 800,000 Pakistani workers.
New Welfare Policies: Implementation of the National Emigration and Welfare Policy to digitize processes, integrate databases with NADRA/FIA, and introduce the upcoming Pak-Tok portal for the diaspora.
Diversifying Markets: Expanding formal pathways and skill-alignment programs toward Europe
Core Pillars & ObjectivesSafe Migration:
Promotes orderly, legal pathways and safeguards workers against illegal exploitation and hazardous routes.
Skills Enhancement: Focuses on raising the share of skilled labor exports, upgrading training curricula to match international standards, and setting up dedicated training centers.
Worker Protection: Introduces expanded grievance redressal systems, emergency frameworks, and welfare support networks for overseas laborers.
Diaspora Engagement: Encourages investment via targeted incentives, special economic zone quotas, and formal remittance channels like the Roshan Digital Account.
Reintegration: Implements profiling databases and skill-recognition programs for returning workers.
Implementation and TargetsTimeline: Executed across short-term (1 year), medium-term (2 years), and long-term (3 years) phases under a high-level monitoring task force.
Financial Goals: Aims to elevate annual worker remittances significantly by upgrading the proportion of skilled professionals heading abroad.
Partnerships: Developed with technical assistance from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and backing from the European Union.
