The government has increased the mandatory medical examination fee for Pakistanis seeking employment abroad, triggering concern among job promoters and overseas recruitment agencies. The revised fee, which must be paid by all applicants before traveling overseas for work, has seen a significant hike.
According to the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), the medical fee has been raised from Rs15,000 to Rs26,000, putting an additional burden on thousands of job seekers. The association has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the government to reconsider the decision, which they say will directly affect low-income workers aspiring to find better opportunities abroad.
POEPA Vice Chairman Adnan Piracha said the sudden increase is unjustified and comes at a time when the cost of living is already high. He also called for transparency in the Skilled Workers Program, questioning how many candidates had actually gone abroad despite government claims, as each individual reportedly costs up to Rs150,000 under the initiative.
Piracha pointed out that there are only five biometric centers across Pakistan for Saudi Arabia–bound workers, creating serious difficulties for applicants from distant areas who must travel long distances for the mandatory process. He urged the authorities to expand biometric facilities to other major cities.
The POEPA official emphasized that overseas Pakistanis are a major source of economic strength, contributing $38 billion in remittances during the last fiscal year. He said this year’s monthly remittances have already exceeded $3 billion, playing a crucial role in maintaining Pakistan’s current account surplus and supporting the national economy.
