Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif declared that the youth departing for overseas employment under the Parwaaz Card initiative are not merely workers but ambassadors of Pakistan. She made the remarks during a send-off ceremony in Lahore honoring 135 skilled youth heading to Saudi Arabia.
Ceremony Highlights and CM's Address
Speaking at the event, CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that providing quality vocational training to Punjab's youth is her dream, now being realized through the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) under the supervision of the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SD&ED), Chairman of the Punjab Taskforce on Skill Development Adnan Afzal Chattha, and Secretary SD&ED Nadir Chattha.
Senior officials from SD&ED and PSDF, including CEO PSDF Ahmed Khan, attended the ceremony along with recruitment partners, representatives of the Bank of Punjab (BOP), overseas employment promoters, and the Parwaaz Card beneficiaries.
Message to the Youth
Interacting with the participants, Maryam Nawaz inquired about their experience with the scheme and told them, “When you travel abroad under this program you will represent Pakistan. The country that has empowered you deserves to be portrayed positively in front of the world.”
She stated that her vision extends beyond Punjab, aiming to provide vocational training opportunities to young people across all provinces where skills development is needed, enabling them to access better employment in global markets. Addressing the selected candidates, she described them as responsible representatives of the country.
“I want to see you off as a mother would bid farewell to her children. Just as you feel safe in Pakistan, I hope you remain safe in the countries where you have secured jobs and continue to make your country proud,” she said.
Placements and Sectors
During the ceremony, Chairman Adnan Afzal Chattha briefed the CM that 135 young people had secured placements in Saudi Arabia under the Parwaaz Card program. The placements cover various sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, construction, and other industries.
He noted that, in line with CM Maryam Nawaz’s vision, SD&ED is actively equipping Punjab’s youth with market-driven vocational and professional skills to secure dignified employment both within Pakistan and abroad. The first batch comprises 105 candidates selected for jobs in the hospitality sector, particularly in Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), and 30 candidates who have secured employment in the construction sector. Their departures to Saudi Arabia will begin from June 28.
Parwaaz Card Scheme Details
Implemented by PSDF under SD&ED, the Parwaaz Card scheme provides beneficiaries with interest-free pre-departure financing and workplace-readiness training to facilitate safe, legal, and dignified overseas employment for Punjab’s youth. Under the program, 45,000 deserving individuals are receiving interest-free loans amounting to Rs6.867 billion. Individual financing ranges from Rs300,000 to Rs1 million, covering upfront expenses such as visas, air tickets, medical examinations, protectorate fees, and other travel-related costs.
At the end of the ceremony, CM Maryam Nawaz distributed Parwaaz cards and interest-free loan cheques among the departing beneficiaries. The send-off ceremony is part of the Parwaaz Card scheme for international employment, launched by the Punjab government to expand overseas employment opportunities and boost remittance inflows.
