The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and The Bank of Punjab (BOP) have signed a formal agreement to launch the Chief Minister's Parwaaz Card Scheme for International Placement, aimed at providing financial support to youth seeking overseas employment opportunities. The agreement was signed by BOP Chief Digital Officer Nofel Daud and PSDF CEO Ahmed Khan.
Strategic Partnership for Youth Empowerment
This strategic partnership establishes an outcome-based model designed to eliminate the financial barriers that skilled youth in Punjab face when pursuing international job opportunities. Under the scheme, eligible candidates from sectors such as Construction, Retail, Caregiving, Hospitality, and allied industries can access interest-free loans of up to PKR 1,000,000. These loans will cover pre-departure expenses, including visa fees, travel costs, and other associated charges, enabling a smoother pathway to global employment.
Target and Implementation
The initiative aims to benefit 45,000 loan beneficiaries over a two-year period. Adnan Afzal Chattha, Chairperson of the CM Punjab Taskforce on Skills Development, stated: "With Parwaaz Card, Punjab is investing for the right of youth to access overseas employment opportunities and strengthen the economy through foreign remittances." Nadir Chattha, Secretary of the Skills Development & Employment Department (SD&ED), added: "This intervention reflects Pakistan's significant trained human export potential, which served as a key driver behind the development of Parwaaz Card."
Roles and Responsibilities
PSDF will be responsible for applicant onboarding, facilitation, and coordination with Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs). Meanwhile, BOP will manage KYC verification, loan appraisal, approval, disbursement, and repayment. President BOP Zafar Masud indicated that coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is underway to explore early access to Roshan Digital Accounts for Parwaaz Card holders.
PSDF CEO Ahmed Khan commented: "With Parwaaz Card and our partnership with BOP, we are ensuring that the journey towards international placement is not interrupted by financial barriers." BOP Chief Digital Officer Nofel Daud added: "With our lending infrastructure, we are creating a model that is not only impactful but sustainable."
Economic Impact
Together, this partnership builds the institutional architecture for a sustainable skills export ecosystem, connecting Punjab's skilled talent pipeline directly to global demand. It also creates a structured remittance corridor that returns lasting economic value to the province and the country, contributing to foreign exchange earnings and economic growth.
