Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that more than 12 million overseas Pakistanis were a valuable national asset, serving as ambassadors of the country’s culture, values and economic potential while acting as a strong bridge between Pakistan and the world.
In a message on International Migrants Day, observed on December 18, the prime minister said overseas Pakistanis’ remittances, exceeding $38 billion annually, provided vital support to the national economy and were a major source of livelihood for millions of families. He added, however, that their real strength lay in their skills, hard work and determination.
The prime minister said the government was focusing on imparting skills and technical education to those seeking employment abroad, noting that success in today’s global economy required not only technical expertise but also social skills and proficiency in multiple languages.
To meet these requirements, he said, Pakistan was aligning its technical and vocational training system with international standards, while promoting social training, diverse skill development and foreign language education to prepare the workforce for modern demands.
He said Pakistan joined countries around the globe in paying tribute to the courage, resilience, sacrifices and invaluable contributions of migrants who left their homelands to earn a livelihood. Referring to this year’s theme, “My Great Story: Cultures and Development,” the prime minister said large-scale human mobility was a powerful source of shared prosperity and mutual benefit.
He observed that the movement of people from diverse backgrounds enriched societies culturally and promoted innovation and creativity, adding that multicultural societies based on cooperation, dignity and rights advanced sustainable and long-term development.
The prime minister said Pakistan, through initiatives such as the European Union Talent Partnership and memoranda of understanding with various countries, was establishing an organised system to ensure international recognition of skills and protection of migrants’ rights. He further highlighted that drafts of the National Emigration and Welfare Policy and the National Reintegration Policy aimed to ensure safe, secure and dignified journeys for all overseas workers.
