ISLAMABAD: Advisor to PM on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Ayub Afridi has said that Pakistan is looking to explore the skilled and professional employment market in Qatar that is currently occupied by other competitors.
The advisor said this during a meeting with Ambassador of State of Qatar to Pakistan Sheikh Saoud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani at his office on Thursday.
He further stated that Pakistan has sent more than 3,500 doctors, nurses and technicians to Kuwait during the pandemic and 3,000 more are in the pipeline, while at the same time, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is recruiting hundreds of medical professionals too. Qatar, being an old good friend, tied to Pakistan by its British history, culture, values, and religion, must also explore such an offer, he added.
The ambassador said that he is looking forward to the ministry’s comprehensive proposal and is ready to sign a memorandum of understanding with the government for promotion of skilled emigration. He expressed that being a student to a Pakistani flight instructor himself, he has massive affection towards Pakistani expatriates in Qatar and has already helped increase their numbers by 10,000 to reach above 110,000 in total.
He further stated that more than 53 security agencies have been reached out by Qatar for security personnel for their newly built stadiums on quarter yearly contracts but more than 5,000 Pakistani security personnel are being hired on five-year contracts. He stated that Pakistani professionals, especially doctors, are world renown for their skill and he would wish for maximum skilled emigrants to be recruited by Qatar.
The ambassador said that apart from the state offices in Islamabad and Karachi new offices in Peshawar and Lahore will be opened soon to facilitate people of both nations.
The meeting also discussed areas to promote and facilitate Pakistani emigrants in Qatar. The advisor thanked the ambassador for the visit by stating that frequent interactions will be carried out in the future for promotion of Pakistani emigration to Qatar.
