ISLAMABAD, July 14, 2025 — Facing a worsening brain drain crisis, Pakistan has launched an aggressive policy to support youth migration, offering interest-free loans to help thousands of skilled professionals relocate abroad as the economy crumbles and jobs disappear.
With widespread industry closures and sky-high unemployment, many educated Pakistanis have no choice but to seek opportunities overseas. However, the costs of visas, airfare, and training often make migration unaffordable, leading some, especially in rural areas, to sell family land or risk illegal routes fraught with danger.
To address this, the Pakistani government has introduced an interest-free loan scheme under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, offering up to PKR 1 million for individuals aged 18 to 45 who hold verified foreign job offers. The initiative, also tied to the Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, aims to provide a lifeline to those who want a legal, safe path to employment abroad.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the PM Youth Program, said, “We’re empowering youth to compete globally while turning brain drain into national progress through remittances.”
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Applicants must submit a valid national ID, passport, a verified job offer or visa approval, and nominate a guarantor, such as a parent or spouse. Funds will be transferred directly to the applicant, training providers, or registered employment agencies to prevent misuse. Repayment is stretched over five to eight years, with a grace period for settling abroad.
Applications can be filed online or via designated banks, including the National Bank of Pakistan and the Bank of Punjab. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, which recommended the scheme, said this initiative offers a transparent alternative to exploitative migration channels.
Official data shows over PKR 186 billion in loans already disbursed under broader youth programs, with thousands now applying for migration support.
As Pakistan navigates economic collapse, the government’s migration strategy is both a stopgap and a gamble, hoping its youth abroad can secure a better future while sending much-needed remittances home.
1 Comment
Population growth and migration are becoming increasingly disproportionate, with more youth looking abroad for opportunities due to limited job creation at home. Our economic situation, combined with a challenging business environment, has left businesses unable to generate enough new employment.
At the same time, high-level skilling for foreign jobs is increasing — raising valid concerns around brain drain. However, interest-free loans and youth support programs should not aim to prevent migration but rather activate the youth by enabling entrepreneurship and productivity. This isn’t about stopping talent from leaving, but about creating meaningful pathways for their skills to contribute back — directly or indirectly.
We must acknowledge the *intersectionality* of these issues: economic stagnation, weak job markets, regulatory overload, global norm-setting (e.g., ESG, due diligence), and policy tug-of-war all play a role. A long-term, coherent strategy is needed — one that balances global integration with national development.