Doha, September 03 (QNA) - HE Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Chaudhry Salik Hussain affirmed that Islamabad and Doha are looking to build a sustainable strategic partnership in labor and human resource development. He noted that the two countries' ultimate goal is to develop a Pakistan-Qatar Human Resource Corridor that moves beyond traditional recruitment toward cooperation based on certified skills, responsible employment and demand-driven mobility, in support of Qatar's long-term development objectives.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) marking the conclusion of his visit to Doha, His Excellency said his discussions with HE Minister of Labour Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, and HE Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal Al-Thani were held in a fraternal atmosphere characterized by cordiality and a mutual commitment to strengthening the partnership. The talks dealt with various aspects of labor cooperation, recruitment practices, skills matching, and the preparation of workers before departure.
He added that the meetings resulted in agreement on establishing an institutional cooperation mechanism and creating a joint working group that would meet periodically to coordinate skilled labor requirements, follow up on issues of mutual interest and provide a structured channel to facilitate recruitment procedures and align training programs with the evolving requirements of Qatari employers.
He also praised the support and care provided by Qatar to the Pakistani community and the country's welcoming approach toward migrants. He noted that Pakistani nationals, many of whom have lived in Qatar for generations and regard it as their second home, have historically contributed effectively to the country's development across the construction, transport, energy, healthcare and technical sectors.
He highlighted the continuing transformation of the Pakistani workforce, which increasingly includes engineers, technicians and certified healthcare professionals. He expressed appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between the Qatari authorities and the Pakistani Embassy to ensure worker welfare and the responsible management of labor mobility.
The Pakistani Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development added that his country's current focus is shifting from simply increasing the number of workers to improving the quality of skilled and employable labor and aligning training with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its pillars related to human development and economic diversification.
He also pointed to significant potential for expanding cooperation in strategic sectors including liquefied natural gas and energy, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, logistics, facilities management, information technology and digital services.
In this regard, he revealed that options were being explored to launch joint training programs and establish mutual recognition of Pakistani qualifications and certifications in accordance with the standards of the relevant Qatari authorities, ensuring the availability of trained and medically fit workers who can increase productivity and strengthen employer confidence.
Regarding regulatory reforms, he noted that Pakistan had introduced a series of measures to ensure legal, safe and orderly migration and make overseas recruitment more transparent. These measures included implementing a strict licensing and monitoring system for recruitment agencies, with tougher penalties for violations and irregular practices.
Concluding his exclusive interview with QNA, HE the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan said mandatory orientation and training courses had been introduced for workers before departure, covering local culture, laws and workplace expectations to ensure their swift integration. He added that passport and immigration systems had also been upgraded through the Integrated Border Management System, alongside the establishment of an AI-powered risk analysis unit to strengthen the governance and regulation of labor mobility between the two countries. (QNA)