Lahore (Pakistan Khabar): Significant changes in employment trends have been observed in the Middle East, with an extraordinary increase in the number of Pakistanis traveling to the United Arab Emirates.
Official data shows that 9,533 Pakistanis went to the UAE in March 2026, a 320% increase compared to 2,271 in the same month last year. In February, 14,035 Pakistanis migrated, reflecting a 692% rise, while January saw a 505% increase. Overall, in the first three months of 2026, the total number of Pakistanis going to the UAE increased by more than 1,500%.
Conversely, the number of Pakistanis going to Saudi Arabia declined by 57% overall, though more than 57,500 Pakistanis traveled there during the three months, including 23,366 in March.
Migration to Qatar increased by 110%, with 17,687 Pakistanis relocating there in the first quarter, although a slight decrease was noted in March. The number of Pakistanis moving to Kuwait also rose, with 184 people in three months compared to 41 during the same period last year.
Experts say this trend reflects changing economic conditions and employment opportunities in Gulf countries, prompting Pakistan’s workforce to seek new opportunities across the region.
