ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Thousands of youths seeking job in South Korea had to return their home empty-handed after they were refused not only registration but were also roughed up by the police here on Thursday.

About 7000 young people gathered at H-8 Government College to get themselves registered for employment in South Korea.

They had arrived in Islamabad from different parts of Punjab, Balochistan and NWFP. Job-seekers from Sindh had to appear at a centre in Karachi.

The ministry of labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis had announced openings in Korea for Pakistani workers. But when they turned up at the designated place in a large number, the Overseas Employment Corporation was unable to control them. As such, they were manhandled and refused registration.

An official statement released by the Overseas Employment Corporation wing of the ministry of labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis says it stalled the registration process until further orders to pre-empt damage to government property and avoid law and order situation.

OEC had advertised registration of candidates of Korean language test at Islamabad and Karachi on October 4, 5, 6 simultaneously, the statement says. However, on October 4, some uninvited and ineligible candidates thronged the places of registration and created law and order situation.

In order to avoid further damage to government property and any occurrence of untoward incident the ministry stalled the registration process.

In retaliation, the jobs-aspirants razed the boundary wall of the college and police had to be called in to disperse the gathering.

As a result, thousands of youths had to go back disappointed without getting their names enrolled with the OEC for provision of employment in South Korea.