'Backbone of our society': President, premier pay tribute workers of Pakistan on International Labour Day

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the labour force of Pakistan the “backbone” of society and a “pillar of national strength” in statements commemorating International Labour Day on Friday. As the world commemorated the international holiday observed annually on May 1, the president and the premier issued separate messages to mark the occasion. PM Shehbaz paid tribute to Pakistan’s labour force on the occasion of Labour Day as well as its overseas workers, appreciating their “dedicated service” and terming them a national pride. “On this occasion, I pay tribute to workers across the world, and especially to the hardworking labour force of Pakistan, for their selfless contributions and dedicated service,” he said in a statement on X. He termed labourers, farmers, artisans, factory workers, and professionals across all sectors the “backbone of our society”. “Their sacrifices, hard work and perseverance keep the wheels of life moving, from fields to factories, construction sites to workshops, at local level and right to the global stage,” he said, calling these workers a source of national pride. The premier also appreciated the remittances of millions of Pakistani workers overseas, saying, “Our labour force, both at home and abroad, reflects our national capability, industriousness, and professional excellence … Their contributions towards the country’s future remain deeply valued and etched in our collective consciousness.” According to the prime minister, the federal government has undertaken targeted initiatives to enhance the skills and professional capacity of Pakistanis seeking employment abroad. These include the National Skills Development Policy, under which “a comprehensive strategy has been developed to align our workforce with the evolving needs of industry, trade, and modern global standards”, he said. He added, “Special emphasis is being placed on internationally recognised training, language proficiency, and certificatio