The major discourse in almost all circles in Pakistan centres on an individual’s desire and efforts to leave the country for a better future. The latest data also confirms this. According to the Bureau of Immigration, more than 727,000 Pakistanis migrated overseas for employment last year, broadly matching the outflow recorded in 2024 when 727,381 workers left the country. Profession-wise, the outflow included 5,659 accountants, 3,795 doctors, 1,640 nurses, 1,725 teachers and 5,946 engineers, alongside 10,503 cooks, 163,718 drivers, 6,475 electricians and a striking 465,138 labourers. The data also lists 12,703 technicians, 11,777 managers, 5,700 masons and 2,306 plumbers among those who left for overseas employment. A total of 18,352 highly educated professionals and 13,657 highly skilled workers moved abroad during the year. What does this tell us about our current economic state? The fact is that this is nothing extraordinary; Pakistan continues to lose its essential workers and, unfortunately, refuses to learn anything from it.
Per policymakers, this exodus is good for the economy as these people usually send remittances back to the country. According to the latest figures, remittances from Pakistani workers employed abroad increased to $3.6 billion in December, a 16.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) rise and up 12.6 per cent from the previous month. Economists, however, have simultaneously warned that our overreliance on remittances could hinder growth. Second, the idea itself that most people do not see a future here deserves the government’s attention. Over the years, Pakistan became an increasingly suffocated society with little to no entertainment and recreational options for people. On top of this, never-ending economic crises have left people in a perpetual state of worry and anxiety to the point that moving away seems the only plausible decision. Pakistan needs a complete overhaul. The deep economic divisions here have destroyed the very fabric of society. The economy remains weak because we have given its reins to private players who focus more on increasing their profits and less about building a stable job environment for people.
At present, most have to do either two jobs or something on the side to maintain their basic standard of living. The purchasing power of people abroad is better when compared to that of people here. Regardless of a tough life there, there is some reward at the end. In Pakistan, workers kept toiling for years without any promised gifts. The government has to understand the grievances of the people here. Our young generation needs a hook to stay back. We can make a thriving economy here only if we try. Those from marginalised communities should be brought to the mainstream and given equal opportunities. Pakistan is a talented nation that desperately needs a chance. If we do not tap into this potential, we risk losing them. It’s time we took off our rose-tinted glasses and saw brain drain for what it is: the loss of talented individuals. A thriving diaspora is good for the nation’s soft image across the world, but we should not rely solely on them for progress and economic growth.
