The Punjab government has dispatched the first batch of 135 skilled young workers to Saudi Arabia under its Parwaaz Card initiative, a programme designed to support overseas employment through vocational training and interest-free financing.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif addressed the departure ceremony on Wednesday and said the selected candidates would serve as ambassadors of Pakistan while working abroad.
The initiative forms part of Punjab’s broader strategy to enhance workforce skills, increase overseas employment and strengthen remittance inflows by preparing young people for international job markets.
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is implementing the programme under the supervision of the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SD&ED).
Punjab Task Force on Skill Development Chairman Adnan Afzal Chattha, SD&ED Secretary Nadir Chattha, PSDF Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Khan, recruitment partners, representatives of the Bank of Punjab, overseas employment promoters and Parwaaz Card beneficiaries attended the ceremony.
Maryam Nawaz Urges Youth to Represent Pakistan Proudly
Speaking to the departing workers, Maryam Nawaz said overseas employment carried responsibilities beyond securing jobs.
“When you travel abroad under this programme, you will represent Pakistan. The country that has empowered you deserves to be portrayed positively in front of the world.”
She said providing high-quality vocational training to Punjab’s youth had long been her vision.
She added that the dream was becoming reality through the Punjab Skills Development Fund.
The chief minister said her vision was not limited to Punjab alone.
She expressed the desire to expand vocational training opportunities across Pakistan wherever skilled workforce development was needed.
“I want to see you off as a mother would bid farewell to her children. Just as you feel safe in Pakistan, I hope you remain safe in the countries where you have secured jobs and continue to make your country proud,” she said.
Officials informed the chief minister that all 135 candidates had secured employment in Saudi Arabia.
The placements cover hospitality, healthcare, construction and other industries.
According to Adnan Afzal Chattha, the department continues to equip young people with market-driven vocational and professional skills that improve employment opportunities both inside Pakistan and overseas.
Interest-Free Financing Supports Overseas Employment
The first batch includes 105 workers selected for hospitality jobs, particularly in Quick Service Restaurants, while another 30 candidates will work in the construction sector.
Officials said departures to Saudi Arabia will begin on June 28.
The Parwaaz Card programme provides beneficiaries with interest-free pre-departure financing and workplace-readiness training.
The objective is to promote safe, legal and dignified overseas employment for Punjab’s youth.
At the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz distributed Parwaaz Cards and interest-free loan cheques among successful candidates.
Under the programme, 45,000 deserving individuals will receive interest-free financing worth Rs6.867 billion.
Individual loans range from Rs300,000 to Rs1 million.
The financing helps workers cover visa fees, air tickets, medical examinations, protector fees and other travel-related expenses before leaving Pakistan.
Pakistan has long relied on overseas employment as an important source of foreign exchange through workers’ remittances. Saudi Arabia remains the largest destination for Pakistani workers, employing hundreds of thousands of skilled and semi-skilled professionals across multiple sectors.
Officials believe programmes such as Parwaaz Card can improve workforce quality, reduce financial barriers for overseas employment and create better opportunities for young Pakistanis seeking international careers.
