Islamabad (TDI): Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain has said that migrants play a vital role in global economic and social development, reaffirming the government’s commitment to promoting safe, regular and organized overseas employment.
He was speaking at an event marking International Migrants Day, organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN agency on migration, at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
In his address, the minister said overseas employment remains a key priority for the Government of Pakistan, noting that nearly 12 million Pakistanis are currently working abroad and making a significant contribution to the national economy through remittances. He added that more than 700,000 Pakistanis have travelled overseas for employment this year alone.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain said the government is taking concrete steps to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers. He stressed the importance of skill development, stating that targeted training programmes can help Pakistanis secure better employment opportunities abroad. The introduction of the National Skills Passport, he said, has made it easier for workers to access overseas job markets.
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Addressing recent concerns, the minister acknowledged reports of Pakistanis being offloaded at airports despite holding valid travel documents. He said high-level meetings had been held between the Ministries of Interior and Overseas Pakistanis, with the Interior Minister also participating. He added that the Prime Minister has constituted a high-level committee to resolve the issue.
“We are hopeful that by January, effective measures will be in place to prevent such incidents,” he said, adding that standard operating procedures are being developed in consultation with all stakeholders to ensure transparency and consistency at airports.
Speaking on the occasion, IOM Pakistan Chief of Mission Mio Sato said migration has long shaped societies and identities, including Pakistan’s own history. “Migration is not just a story of movement. It is a story of humanity,” she said, urging young people to look beyond negative narratives surrounding mobility.
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She emphasized that when young people are provided with accurate information, ethical pathways and skills-based opportunities, they are empowered to make safe and transformative choices. Ms Sato noted that Pakistan remains one of the world’s major countries of origin for migrants and has also hosted millions of displaced people over decades, making migration deeply embedded in the country’s social and economic fabric.
The event brought together diplomats, government officials, journalists, digital content creators and hundreds of students, with discussions focused on promoting safe, regular and ethical migration at a time when global debates on mobility are increasingly influenced by misinformation and political polarization.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
