Pakistan plans to train and deploy between 300,000 and 400,000 workers for projects connected to the FIFA World Cup 2034, as part of a broader push to expand overseas employment and strengthen its position in international labour markets.
According to official documents seen by Wealth Pakistan, workforce planning is being aligned with anticipated demand from the 2034 World Cup, with trained workers expected to support infrastructure development, aviation, tourism and related service sectors between 2026 and 2034.
The initiative is part of wider government efforts to boost manpower exports and improve the skills profile of Pakistani workers seeking jobs abroad.
Between July and March of FY2025-26, a total of 215,719 workers received soft-skills training to improve adaptability, productivity and global employability. The documents describe overseas employment as a key pillar of Pakistan’s labour market strategy.
During 2025, the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment registered 762,499 workers for jobs abroad. Since 1972, more than 15 million Pakistanis have travelled overseas for employment through official channels, working in more than 50 countries.
Over 96% of these workers are employed in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Their remittances remain one of Pakistan’s largest sources of foreign exchange earnings after exports.
Saudi Arabia remained the leading destination for Pakistani workers in 2025, receiving 530,256 workers and accounting for 69.54% of total overseas employment registrations for the year.
Demand for skilled manpower in the kingdom has grown alongside its Vision 2030 programme, which has expanded opportunities in infrastructure, construction and services.
Pakistan is also expanding labour mobility partnerships beyond the Gulf region. Under the Pakistan-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue, the country is engaging with European partners on legal migration and workforce cooperation.
Italy has announced a quota of 10,500 seasonal and non-seasonal positions for Pakistani workers over a three-year period, while Germany and Greece have made progress toward formal labour cooperation arrangements focused on skilled workers.
The government is modernising the emigration process through digital initiatives. The Pakistan Emigrant Management Framework is being developed to connect 14 relevant stakeholders and streamline overseas employment procedures through online verification systems.
The Digital HR Pool system has also been launched, integrating biometric verification, job matching and transparent recruitment mechanisms.
The documents state that continued investment in skills development, overseas employment facilitation and labour market reforms is intended to help Pakistan capitalise on emerging global opportunities while creating higher-skilled and higher-value employment pathways for its workforce.
