Saudi Arabia plans to establish a “cutting-edge skill university” in Pakistan to address its demand for skilled workers for upcoming projects in the Kingdom. This initiative comes as the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development aims to propose a special quota for Pakistani skilled and semi-skilled workers for projects like NEOM.
The proposal for Saudi Arabia to set up a state-of-the-art skill university in Pakistan signifies a deeper alignment between the two nations in their economic transformation endeavors. Discussions also revolve around training Pakistani workers to meet the increasing demands of the Saudi labor market and enhancing their skills and capabilities.
The Ministry has suggested collaborative efforts between the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad, the Consulate General in Karachi, and Pakistani authorities to facilitate the entry of new Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) into the Saudi sector.
This high-level delegation visit aims to synchronize Pakistan’s workforce with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation program, fostering a robust partnership for mutual benefit. Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s strategic development framework aimed at reducing reliance on oil and boosting public service sectors like health, education, infrastructure, and tourism.
The visit also seeks to bolster crucial remittances, which contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economic stability and the well-being of families dependent on these financial inflows.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share strong trade, defense, and fraternal ties. With over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates residing in the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia remains the top destination for remittances, vital for Pakistan’s economy.
