13 January 2004	Tuesday	20 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 12: Gulf states will likely be recognizing postgraduate degrees of Pakistani doctors, which will be a big break-throw in export of Pakistan's manpower.

"The government through constant interaction and pursuance has finally convinced the Gulf state authorities to recognize our doctors' fellowships and it will prove a milage in our manpower exports," said Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Mian Abdus Sattar Laleka.

He was talking to newsmen after presiding over a review meeting of Employees Old-age Benefits Institution (EOBI) at the EOBI House on Monday. Mr Laleka said that the degree was accepted only by Saudi Arabia in the past. He further said that Kuwait's Health Minister Jarullah would soon be visiting Pakistan to finalize a plan on import of manpower from here. Saudi Labour Minister Dr Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Nimla would also visit here in April, he added.

He said the government had changed its policy on overseas employment. In the past, he said overseas employers were being interfered by the government authorities while they were making selection of the workers.

"Now overseas employers are given a free hand to select the workers according to their requirement," he remarked. Mr Laleka said the government had entered into agreements and understandings with many countries to increase export of manpower.

He said the government through technical know-how and professional training was making labour force of Pakistan attractive in the emerging international labour market.-APP