Pakistan is planning to double its manpower exports to Saudi Arabia following the landmark defense agreement signed between the two countries last month, according to Arab News. The move aims to strengthen economic cooperation and meet Saudi Arabia’s growing labor demands under its Vision 2030 development agenda.
According to data from the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BEOE), 1.88 million Pakistani workers went to Saudi Arabia between 2020 and 2024 — a 21 percent increase from the previous five-year period.
Remittances from the Kingdom also rose from $7.39 billion in 2020 to $8.59 billion in 2024, highlighting the enduring strength of labor ties between the two nations.
Gul Akbar, a senior BEOE director, said that the defense pact will significantly boost manpower exports. “The current average export is around half a million workers per year, and from next year, we hope to double it to one million,” he said.
The BEOE, in collaboration with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), is drafting a plan to support the expansion, which will be shared with Saudi officials soon.
Pakistan has established a high-level committee to oversee bilateral cooperation and ensure alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives. Akbar said proposals include setting up technical training institutes in both countries and introducing an e-visa system to streamline worker deployment.
Saudi Arabia remains Pakistan’s largest labor destination and top remittance source, contributing $736.7 million in August alone. Experts attribute the rising demand for Pakistani workers to Saudi Arabia’s mega development projects and preparations for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
To meet this demand, Pakistan is partnering with Takamol and NAVTTC to certify skilled workers. Despite concerns about brain drain, officials view overseas employment as vital to Pakistan’s economy, with remittances exceeding $38 billion last year — a crucial buffer for the nation’s finances.
