22/10/2026
PSDF and Overseas Employment Promoters Discuss Parwaaz Card Facilitation and Youth Employability in Punjab
*Lahore, October 21, 2026
A consultative meeting was held today between representatives of the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), the Skills Development & Entrepreneurship Department, and leading Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) from Lahore to discuss strengthening the Parwaaz Card initiative and enhancing employment opportunities for the youth of Punjab through overseas employment channels.
The meeting focused on improving access to the Parwaaz Card facility for prospective emigrants, strengthening coordination between government institutions and licensed Overseas Employment Promoters, and investing in demand-driven technical training and soft skills to prepare Pakistani youth for international labour markets.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Adnan Afzal Chattha, Chairperson, Chief Minister’s Task Force on Skills Development; Nadir Chattha, Secretary, Skills Development & Entrepreneurship Department; Azka Munir; Sardar Hisham Khan, Head of Programme Design; and the General Manager of the Skills Development & Entrepreneurship Department, along with representatives of PSDF and leading OEPs.
Prominent Overseas Employment Promoters and industry representatives who participated in the consultation included Aamir Aziz of Mansol, Ahsan Azeem of Al Hadeed, Rana Ayaz of Edge Manpower, Suhail Ahmad of Anatolya Manpower, Ali Kamran of MPS, Atif Javed of TOR, Atiq ur Rehman of Bait-ul-Mamoor, and Maha Gul of API Placement.
Faisal Khan, Secretary General and Lahore focal person of POEPA and Chairman of Binfaisal National Manpower Bureau, also participated in the discussion alongside Shahid Latif Sandhu, former member of the POEPA Central Executive Committee and representative of Luna Corporation. Representatives associated with Comet Manpower and Zamir Abbas also contributed their views and recommendations.
# # OEPs Highlight Their Role as Key Stakeholders
During the discussion, participating OEPs highlighted that licensed Overseas Employment Promoters are key stakeholders in connecting trained Pakistani workers with verified international employment opportunities. With their direct engagement with foreign employers, recruitment networks, and knowledge of overseas labour-market requirements, OEPs can play an important role in identifying skills gaps and guiding training programmes towards actual employer demand.
Participants stressed that effective collaboration between PSDF, the relevant government departments, and OEPs is essential to ensure that the Parwaaz Card facility is accessible, transparent, efficient, and responsive to the practical needs of job seekers aspiring to work abroad.
The participants also shared suggestions for simplifying application and facilitation procedures, improving coordination among relevant institutions, and addressing the challenges faced by prospective emigrants during the overseas employment process.
# # Investment in Technical Training and Soft Skills
A major focus of the meeting was the need to invest in demand-driven technical and vocational training, language proficiency, workplace communication, professional conduct, and other essential soft skills required by international employers.
Participants emphasized that training programmes should be aligned with verified overseas job demands and employer requirements. Greater coordination with OEPs could help identify priority occupations, determine the required competencies, and connect trained candidates with suitable employment opportunities.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of preparing young people for employment in international sectors where skilled workers are in demand, thereby improving their employability, supporting safe and legal migration, and strengthening Pakistan’s overseas employment potential.
# # Strengthening Public-Private Partnership
The meeting underscored the importance of a practical public-private partnership model in which government institutions provide skills development support and effective facilitation, while licensed OEPs contribute labour-market intelligence, employer linkages, recruitment expertise, and guidance on overseas employment requirements.
Participants expressed the view that closer institutional coordination and a more accessible Parwaaz Card mechanism could help reduce barriers for eligible job seekers, improve the transition from training to employment, and create greater opportunities for Punjab’s youth in international labour markets.
The consultation concluded with an emphasis on continued engagement among PSDF, the Skills Development & Entrepreneurship Department, POEPA, and licensed OEPs to explore practical measures for improving programme implementation and expanding employment pathways for skilled Pakistani workers.
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