09 January 2004	Friday	16 Ziqa'ad 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has directed the ministry of labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis to intensify efforts for further enhancing export of skilled and unskilled manpower and ensure its capabilities according to international standards.

He said this while attending a presentation, arranged by the ministry at the prime minister's secretariat here on Thursday. The Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Mian Abdus Sattar Lalika and senior officials of the ministries of labour and foreign affairs were also present on the occasion.

The prime minister said highest consideration be given to merit and efficiency in the selection criteria laid down for the purpose, adding "transparency should be the guiding principle in this regard".

He expressed satisfaction over the fact that there is an overall increase of 68.5 per cent in the export of manpower from the country during the current financial year as compared to the previous one.

He underlined the need for a systematic and concerted approach for meeting the next year's export target of 350,000. The prime minister also advised the expatriates to refrain from indulging in political activities in their respective host countries.

He called upon expatriates to earn goodwill for the country by dint of hard work and to respect local laws and customs of the host country. He said: "Each and every Pakistani abroad is an ambassador of his country and he must try to earn more goodwill and respect for the motherland."

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Sattar Lalika said that as a follow-up of the prime minister's address to the nation last year, his ministry has embarked upon special efforts for increasing manpower export.

He informed the prime minister that countries like Malaysia, Kuwait and Oman have already lifted the ban on import of the Pakistani manpower. He said the ministry of labour was working in close coordination with the ministry of foreign affairs to secure more contracts from other countries for export of manpower.

He informed that the Saudi labour minister would soon undertake a visit to the country for exploring avenues of further manpower import from Pakistan. He also informed that an amount of 4.2 billion dollars was sent home by Pakistanis abroad last year.

The minister said special emphasis was being laid to impart training of workers to sharp their skills and the concept of private-public partnership was also being put into practice in this connection.