ISLAMABAD: Language barriers and skills gaps have significantly limited employment opportunities for Pakistani workers abroad, Community Welfare Attaches (CWAs) posted in different countries informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development at the OPF building here on Tuesday.

MNA Syed Rafiullah chaired the meeting, which had been specially convened to undertake a comprehensive review of overseas facilitation mechanisms, with particular focus on the performance of Community Welfare Attachés (CWAs) and issues relating to overseas employment and educational recognition abroad.

The CWA Japan highlighted that Pakistan is among a limited number of countries having formal arrangements with Japan; however, labour market penetration remains modest due to significant language barriers and skills gaps.

Members expressed concern over the absence of structured, Japan-specific skill and language centres comparable to those established by regional competitors.

During the discussion on South Korea, the Committee was apprised that approximately 30,000 Pakistanis reside there.ature job abandonment by some workers.

In respect of Malaysia, the committee was informed that approximately 100,000 Pakistanis reside there, with an estimated 30,000 undocumented.

A recruitment ban imposed since August 2024 has adversely affected job placements. The Committee was apprised of existing MOUs, including social security arrangements and a proposed prisoner transfer agreement.

The federal secretary for overseas Pakistanis informed the committee that remittances continue to rise and that efforts are underway to strengthen digital systems and labour diplomacy. It was noted that Pakistan produces approximately 800,000 university graduates annually, while the skilled workforce output remains comparatively low.

The committee emphasised that skill-based workforce development must be significantly expanded. The Committee also discussed the allocation and rationale of CWA postings. Members sought clarity regarding the criteria for stationing CWAs in countries with relatively fewer labour disputes compared to high-risk jurisdictions.

Chairman of the committee emphasised that overseas Pakistanis represent a vital national asset and underscored that the Committee’s mandate is not merely to hear challenges but to ensure measurable outcomes, institutional accountability, and forward-looking reforms. He stressed that performance must be evaluated in terms of tangible facilitation for Pakistani workers abroad.

The Chair directed that awareness seminars, beginning with a proposed session in Karachi, be organised to prepare prospective migrants for emerging markets. Others who attended the meeting included MNAs: Dr Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Mian Khan Bugti, Ms Erum Hamid(virtually), Ms Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi, and Ms Saeeda Jamshid. Fatehullah Khan, Farhan Chishti, and Ms Sofia Saeed (virtually).

The Meeting was also attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and the Higher Education Commission.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2026