Saudi Vision 2030: KSA urged to intake 1 million Pakistani workforce annually

In a significant development aimed at bolstering the execution of Saudi Vision 2030, Jawad Sohrab Malik, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OP&HRD), engaged in a fruitful meeting with Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Saturday.

The meeting focused on harnessing the potential of a substantial Pakistani workforce to aid the realisation of Saudi Vision 2030's objectives.

During the meeting, SAPM Malik formally proposed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia employ a substantial number of Pakistani workers to contribute to the Saudi Vision 2030, the initiative aimed at diversifying and enhancing the Saudi economy.

The proposal has the potential to bring about a significant increase in the number of Pakistani expatriates in Saudi Arabia, further strengthening the economic ties between the two countries.

Currently, approximately 5 million Pakistanis travel to Saudi Arabia annually, serving various roles across the country's industries. Jawad Sohrab Malik noted the potential for this number to surge even higher, possibly reaching over one million, considering the diverse skill sets and labour force Pakistan can offer.

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He highlighted the invaluable contributions of Pakistani workers, spanning from skilled professionals to semi-skilled and unskilled labourers, in helping Saudi Arabia meet its diverse workforce needs.

SAPM Malik emphasised Pakistan's ability to supply more than one million individuals with a range of skills, aligning with the job opportunities created by Saudi Vision 2030. He informed the Saudi envoy of the Pakistani government's efforts to build a skilled Labour Force Pool, effectively tapping into the immense potential of the country's youth in areas such as digitisation, services, and tourism.

In response, the Saudi ambassador expressed support for the proposal presented by SAPM Jawad Sohrab Malik. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognises the vital role Pakistani workers can play in the successful implementation of Saudi Vision 2030 and the diversification of the Saudi economy, he added.

Malik expressed his gratitude to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman for his unwavering support to Pakistan in various economic, strategic, and bilateral matters, highlighting the dynamic and visionary leadership of the Kingdom.

Both sides agreed to further explore the possibilities of creating new employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia. A forthcoming meeting, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia, will bring together SAPM Malik, with the labour minister and other high-ranking officials of the Kingdom.

These discussions aim to solidify the collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in enhancing manpower resources for the Saudi Vision 2030, setting the stage for a brighter future for both nations.