Punjab launches Parwaaz Card scheme to fund overseas jobs for youth

Punjab Skills Development Fund and The Bank of Punjab have signed an agreement to launch and operationalise the Chief Minister’s Parwaaz Card Scheme for International Placement. The scheme is aimed at improving access to overseas employment opportunities for skilled youth in Punjab. The agreement was formalised by BOP Chief Digital Officer Nofel Daud and PSDF CEO Ahmed Khan. Under this partnership, an outcome-based financing model has been introduced to eliminate the upfront financial burden that often prevents young workers from pursuing jobs abroad. Through the scheme, eligible candidates from sectors such as construction, retail, caregiving, hospitality, and related fields will be able to obtain interest-free loans of up to PKR 1 million. These funds will cover pre-departure expenses, helping facilitate smoother access to international job markets. The initiative targets around 45,000 beneficiaries over two years. Chairperson of the CM Punjab Taskforce on Skills Development, Adnan Afzal Chattha, said the Parwaaz Card reflects Punjab’s commitment to enabling youth participation in global employment opportunities while boosting foreign remittances. Secretary of the Skills Development & Employment Department, Nadir Chattha, added that Pakistan’s trained workforce has strong potential in global labour markets, which the initiative seeks to harness. Under the arrangement, PSDF will handle applicant registration, onboarding, and coordination with Overseas Employment Promoters, while BOP will manage verification, loan processing, approval, disbursement, and repayment mechanisms. BOP President Zafar Masud also noted ongoing coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan to explore early integration with Roshan Digital Accounts for beneficiaries. Ahmed Khan, CEO of PSDF, stated that the partnership ensures financial constraints do not hinder overseas employment pathways. Nofel Daud of BOP added that the initiative leverages digital lending infrastructure to build a scalable