Over 172,000 Pakistanis left the country between January and March 2025 in search of better job opportunities, primarily in Gulf nations, according to data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE).
A total of 172,144 workers moved to over 50 countries during the first quarter of 2025, averaging more than 57,000 departures per month.
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Saudi Arabia remained the top destination, absorbing 121,940 workers—about 70% of the total. Other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries followed: Qatar welcomed 12,998 workers, Bahrain 9,139, and Oman 8,331.
Meanwhile, emigration to the UAE dropped sharply to 6,891 due to frequent changes in visa procedures and emigration policies, affecting worker movement to cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Banking consultant Ibrahim Amin emphasized the need for a structured platform involving overseas job promoters, embassies, and foreign organizations to update potential migrants about current job and visa regulations, especially for the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
He also recommended the development of a screening system to prevent individuals with criminal backgrounds, scammers, and professional beggars from entering these countries.
