Pakistan must shift to skilled workforce export: finance minister

LAHORE, Aug 19 (APP): Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said on Wednesday that Pakistan needs to move from the export of manpower to the export of a skilled workforce to effectively integrate its young human capital into the global economy.

He was addressing a special seminar titled “From Pakistan to the World… How? Development, Opportunities and Prosperity”, organised by the Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Memorial Society, Jang Group of Newspapers and AS Foreign Education Consultants Group of Companies.

He added, “The objective of our policy should not be greater migration but a better, safer and more productive migration. Overseas Pakistanis should not be viewed merely as a source of remittances; they are economic partners, investors and ambassadors of Pakistan. Their presence abroad can serve as a strong economic bridge between Pakistan and the global economy.”

The provincial finance minister said, Pakistan must equip its youth with modern education, technical and vocational training, market-oriented skills and access to international labour markets through safe and legal channels. At the same time, the government must continue creating quality employment, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities within Pakistan so that young people have meaningful choices.

He said, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is providing young people with opportunities in education, technical training, employment and entrepreneurship. Reforms are being introduced in the education sector, while technical and vocational training institutions are being restructured to make them more responsive to the requirements of the modern labour market. Interest-free loans are also being provided to promote employment and entrepreneurship. Farmers are being supported with essential agricultural resources to increase domestic production and strengthen the country’s export potential.

Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said, international mobility today is not simply about migration from one country to another; it is also the movement of knowledge, skills, experience, capital and business networks. Pakistan is a young country, and its youthful population is one of its greatest strengths. Global markets have a growing demand for skilled professionals in healthcare, engineering, construction, information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, agriculture and other emerging sectors.

“We should not focus merely on how many Pakistanis go abroad. Our focus should be on how many Pakistanis reach international markets with the right skills, secure and dignified employment, and through safe and legal channels,” he said. He emphasized the need to provide prospective migrants with appropriate training, reliable information, career guidance and legal pathways.

The Finance Minister said the contribution of overseas Pakistanis should extend beyond remittances. They possess valuable capital, international market experience, technological knowledge and business networks. Pakistan needs to move towards a model in which overseas Pakistanis are encouraged to invest in businesses, transfer technology, build commercial linkages and mentor young people in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan should transform brain drain into brain circulation and brain gain. Pakistanis working abroad can contribute to the country by transferring knowledge, expertise, technology and business connections. An IT professional can mentor young people, an engineer can share international experience and a successful entrepreneur can invest in Pakistan. Geographical distance should not become economic distance.

Finance Minister said the digital economy offers unprecedented opportunities for Pakistani youth. Skills in IT, freelancing, artificial intelligence, software development and cybersecurity can connect young Pakistanis directly with global markets. A Pakistani professional can now provide services to international companies without leaving the country.

“Our goal should not only be to find jobs in the world; we must also equip our youth to provide services, technology and innovative solutions to the world,” he said.

Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said Pakistan’s economic and diplomatic progress must increasingly be translated into economic opportunities. Pakistan has demonstrated resilience and capability in the fields of defence and diplomacy despite challenging circumstances. He said the country should now leverage its young population, human capital, technology and international linkages to strengthen its economic position and create new opportunities for its people.

The Finance Minister said the Punjab Government has focused on increasing revenue without imposing the burden of new taxes. Collections by the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) have increased by more than 38 percent during the current fiscal year, while significant growth has also been recorded in Excise and Taxation collections. He said additional resources generated through improved revenue collection are being utilized for education, healthcare, employment, public welfare and development initiatives.

The seminar was attended by political, social, educational and business personalities, educationists and students. Shahid Hafeez, Chairman AS Group of Companies, formally inaugurated the programme, while Thomas Dawes gave participants a detailed briefing on the NAOERO Passport Policy under AS Group of Companies and highlighted opportunities for individuals interested in education, employment and investment abroad.

Additional Federal Secretary and CSS Officer Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta presented AI-generated national anthems at the seminar as part of Independence Day celebrations, adding to the participants’ sense of patriotism.

Former Principal of Fatima Jinnah Medical University Dr. Majeed Chaudhry said that, in the prevailing circumstances, guidance from technocrats is essential for improving the functioning of state institutions. Former Education Minister Imran Masood termed the large number of out-of-school children one of Pakistan’s major challenges and stressed that bringing them into the educational mainstream must go hand in hand with practical skills development. He said a safe and skilled human resource base is essential for sustainable economic development.

Other speakers welcomed the safe and lawful access of Pakistani students, professionals and skilled workers to international markets. They emphasized the importance of quality international education and technical training, along with the eventual return of skilled Pakistanis to contribute to the national economy through expertise, entrepreneurship and investment. The speakers also acknowledged the valuable contributions of overseas Pakistanis to Pakistan’s development.

At the conclusion of the seminar, commemorative souvenirs and certificates were distributed among the speakers by the Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Memorial Trust and AS Group of Companies. The Finance Minister distributed certificates among representatives of the two organizations and congratulated them on successfully organizing a seminar on an important and timely subject.