Rawalpindi Protectorate Emerges as Top Contributor to Pakistan's Overseas Workforce
The Protectorate of Emigrants (PE) in Rawalpindi has solidified its position as a critical driver of Pakistan's overseas employment sector, accounting for a substantial 26.45 percent of the total 763,526 citizens who proceeded abroad for work in 2025. This significant share highlights the region's pivotal role in supplying manpower to the international job market, as confirmed by Deputy Director Abdul Shakoor Soomro in a media briefing held on Saturday.
Steady Growth and Regional Leadership
While 2025 witnessed a 5 percent overall increase in national emigrations, the Rawalpindi office maintained its status as a major hub for workers from Northern Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan. Updating the figures for the current year, Soomro revealed that until mid-April 2026, a total of 221,525 workers have been registered nationwide, with the Rawalpindi office leading the charge by processing 52,000 registrations.
Enhanced Efficiency Under Federal Supervision
The office's operations are being conducted under the direct supervision of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, and Director General BEOE Javed Zia. This oversight has facilitated a streamlined process for candidates, with protector clearance now issued within two to three hours. Data is immediately integrated with embassies and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), ensuring swift and secure processing for emigrants.
Detailed Regional and Professional Breakdown
Delving into the 2025 regional statistics, Abdul Shakoor Soomro provided a comprehensive breakdown:
- Rawalpindi: 25,743 individuals
- Attock: 13,769 individuals
- Chakwal: 8,712 individuals
- Mandi Bahauddin: 12,037 individuals
- Islamabad: 8,092 individuals
- AJK: 27,422 individuals
- Gilgit-Baltistan: 1,626 individuals
Regarding professional categories, the labor sector dominated with 465,138 workers, followed by 163,718 drivers, 12,703 technicians, and other skilled professionals such as engineers and doctors.
Mandatory Briefings and Legal Advisories
The Deputy Director emphasized the importance of mandatory briefing sessions designed to educate emigrants on host country laws and cultural norms. He strongly urged workers to utilize only legal banking channels for remittances to ensure transparency and security. Additionally, citizens were advised to process their cases exclusively through registered Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) to avoid potential fraud and exploitation.
This proactive approach underscores the Protectorate's commitment to safeguarding the interests of Pakistani workers abroad while bolstering the nation's economic contributions through overseas employment.
