DUBAI: Stressing on the need for Pakistanis to aim for high-end skilled market instead of unskilled labour, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said that the days of unskilled workers landing jobs are now numbered.
“We now need to train accountants, IT professionals, bankers, AI experts, physicians, nurses and pilots,” he was quoted during an interview with Gulf News.
He added that the gulf’s burgeoning demand for skilled workers can be fulfilled by Pakistanis if they focus on improving their skills and treat this like an opportunity.
Tirmizi’s vision is focused heavily creating more jobs and fostering an environment which support investment
“Pakistanis can step into high-paying roles if we train them within the high-demand sectors. They can receive salaries that begin at Dh20,000 in contrast to the unskilled labour which makes meagre Dh1,000,” he stated. He pointed out that the UAE has been an important trading partner of Pakistan in the MENA region and the focus is now turning to secure more investments from the Emirates to Pakistan: “The relationship between both nations would not be limited to an exchange of workforce but making sure that Pakistan’s potential is realized globally. This means a partnership that spans generations.”
Tirmizi shared that IT skills, accounting and health care are few of the many sectors that would require skilled labour and Pakistanis need to excel in these areas. Highlighting the importance of nursing and physiotherapists he said that Pakistan needs excellent facilities for nursing so more people are able to benefit from it. Tirmizi also echoed similar views about the aviation industry, and said that establishment of international aviation colleges was a part of future discussions.
Speaking about remittances from the UAE, Tirmizi said a jump of 53 percent was witnessed in six-months reaching USD4.5 billion. He said the ultimate goal is to cross the nine-billion dollar ‘magic’ mark with the fiscal year, set to end in June.
Appreciating the blue-collar workers, he said that the working class groups are a source of pride for the country as well. The ambassador hopes for a future where Pakistan emerges as a potential player in the global market and continues to thrive in areas of tourism, and other industries.