In view of the economic crisis and inflation, a large number of Pakistanis, especially the young population, are trying to go abroad in search of scholarships and employment opportunities. According to the media report, during the first quarter of 2023, more than 450,000 Pakistanis have left for different countries.
The large number of Pakistanis going abroad can be gauged by visiting passport offices and immigration centers where long queues of passport and visa aspirants can be seen these days. A senior official of the Department of Passports and Immigration said that the number of passport applicants has almost doubled in recent months. Most of the applicants are job seekers from different countries, especially in the Middle East.
He said that the department has the capacity to issue 25,000 to 27,000 passports a day, but the daily backlog of applications has come down from 13,000 to 15,000. Sources stated a private company that processes visa applications on behalf of some embassies, said the number of visa applications has increased manifold. Meanwhile, the British Council has received a large number of applications for both student and work visas.
A British Council official said that in view of the increasing number of applications, 3 IELTS tests (required language test for visa) are currently being organized under the auspices of the British Council in a week. Sources said that a total of 2500 visa candidates appeared in the last exam, and the number of visa candidates has increased during the last 2 months.
Experts say that the exodus of skilled workers from Pakistan is a major concern, as it will deprive the country of its human capital and lead to a brain drain. However, some also argue that the remittances sent by these workers can help to boost the country’s economy.—INP
