ISLAMABAD: The government has set a target to export one million workers to the different countries of the world this year, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi said on Monday.

“I have visited many countries including Romania, Portugal, and Greece to tap new opportunities which showed great interest in importing manpower from Pakistan,” he said while addressing an award-giving ceremony to graduate women in Peshawar.

This year, the minister said, he would be visiting some Middle East and Gulf countries to explore employment opportunities for the Pakistani youth.

“Malta, Poland, Hungary, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq have shown keen interest to import manpower from Pakistan and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are being signed with many of these countries in this regard.”

The minister advised Pakistani youth to avoid illegal immigration as such acts were not only dangerous but also tainting the country.

Expressing his delight on the occasion, Turi said that he was glad to know that dozens of women were trained and provided with tool kits during the 45 days of training that would help them to lead in their professional life and ensure economical independence.

“The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development would extend the training sessions and programmes to all provinces and districts of Pakistan with the support of GIZ, Provincial TEVTA and NAVTTC,” he added.