LAHORE: More than 317,000 Pakistanis travelled abroad for employment during the first six months of 2026, according to official data, with Saudi Arabia remaining the top destination for Pakistani workers.
Government figures show that 317,436 Pakistanis went abroad for employment between January and June 2026. The workers included doctors, software engineers, IT professionals, petroleum and mechanical engineers, paramedical staff and technicians.
Saudi Arabia received the largest number of Pakistani workers, with 183,951 leaving for employment there during the period.
The United Arab Emirates ranked second, attracting 50,773 Pakistani workers, while Qatar was third with 34,025.
Bahrain accounted for 13,329 Pakistani workers, while 4,673 travelled to Türkiye for employment. Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom and Malaysia were also among the destinations receiving Pakistani workers.
According to the data, 316,848 people registered for overseas employment through the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE), while another 588 workers secured overseas jobs through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC).
Sources said thousands of additional Pakistanis are currently completing travel and employment documentation through various government institutions as they prepare to leave the country for work abroad.
The trend presents both challenges and opportunities for Pakistan. The departure of skilled professionals can contribute to concerns over the loss of trained human resources, while overseas workers can provide economic support through remittances sent back to Pakistan.
The continued outflow of workers also highlights the importance of creating stronger domestic employment opportunities and improving conditions that can retain skilled professionals within the country.
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