Pakistan is one of the major manpower exporters in the world and earns around $20 billion a year remittances sent by Pakistani expatriates. According to estimates, around eight million Pakistanis work abroad and support not only their families back home, but also earn precious foreign exchange for the country. The manpower includes not only low-paid labourers but highly qualified professionals working in public and private sectors in Middle East, Europe, Americas, Africa and Australia, making Pakistan as one of the top five emigration countries in the South Asian region. According to a report of the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan is facing growing trade deficit and can enhance its gross domestic product by exporting labour force to developed economies in Asia. In its Asian Economic Integration Report 2016, the bank believes various economies in Asia and the Pacific, which are the largest source of international migrants, can accept migrant workers from Pakistan. At least four percent of the population already working abroad and the country has the potential to cater to the needs of the developed nations of the world. At least 16 percent Pakistanis work in the United States, 49 percent in the Middle East and 29 percent in Europe. There is growing demand of workforce in China, South Korea, Japan and Singapore.The export of labour would work both ways for the benefit of Pakistan as well as the host countries.
Looking into the figures presented in the bank report, it seems Pakistanis could have vast chances, especially in Japan and South Korea, but fact is that Pakistan itself needs growing workforce for its business and industry. Looking into the developed economies of the world, one should clearly understand that brain drain is a big loss for the country. The Pakistani government spends billions of rupees to produce doctors, engineers and professionals and soon they get their degrees and experiences, they fly from the country. Pakistan has brains and resources but mismanagement and administrative failures are the key areas where the government will have to concentrate. Pakistan drastically needs skilled labour and professionals to work in business, trade and industry. Instead of sending the brains abroad, the industrial nations such as Japan, Korea and China should be persuaded to set up their industries in Pakistan. The investors of these countries should be provided all possible facilities and tax relief to set up small, medium and heavy industries in the country. China is going to shift its small scale industries to Bangladesh, whereas Pakistan is the best candidate if the government persuade the Chinese government on the issue.
The foreign institutions have their own vested interests and are sincere to their causes. The Pakistani government must discourage brain drain, but encourage foreign investment in the country.
