The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and The Bank of Punjab (BOP) have signed an agreement to operationalise the Chief Minister’s Parwaaz Card Scheme for International Placement, aimed at facilitating overseas employment opportunities for skilled youth across Punjab.
Under the initiative, eligible candidates from sectors including construction, retail, caregiving, hospitality and related industries will be able to access interest-free loans of up to Rs1 million to cover pre-departure expenses associated with overseas employment. The programme is expected to benefit 45,000 individuals over the next two years.
The agreement was signed by Nofel Daud, Chief Digital Officer of BOP, and Ahmed Khan, CEO of PSDF. The partnership is designed to remove one of the biggest barriers faced by aspiring overseas workers—the upfront financial costs required for international placement and relocation.
As part of the programme, PSDF will oversee applicant onboarding, facilitation and coordination with Overseas Employment Promoters, while BOP will manage KYC verification, loan appraisal, approvals, disbursements and repayments.
Officials noted that the initiative aims not only to support employment opportunities abroad but also to strengthen Pakistan’s economy through increased remittance inflows. The scheme forms part of Punjab’s broader strategy to develop a sustainable skills export ecosystem and connect local talent with international labour market demand.
BOP President Zafar Masud also indicated that the bank is coordinating with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to explore early access to Roshan Digital Accounts for Parwaaz Card holders, further enhancing financial inclusion for overseas workers.
The Parwaaz Card is being viewed as a significant step toward empowering skilled youth, reducing financial barriers to global employment and creating long-term economic value through enhanced workforce mobility and remittance generation.
