Discounted PIA tickets offered for overseas jobs under Parwaaz Card
The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has signed a partnership with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to offer discounted one-way air tickets. The initiative is aimed at helping skilled workers who have secured verified overseas jobs.
The agreement was signed by PIA Chief Commercial Officer Nausherwan Adil and PSDF Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Khan. PIA General Manager Passenger Sales Jan Meher also attended the signing ceremony.
Under the agreement, eligible candidates from Punjab will receive the Parwaaz Card after obtaining a verified overseas job offer. The card will allow them to buy discounted one-way PIA tickets for international travel.
PIA will also provide a 7 percent discount on service charges for Parwaaz Card holders. This additional benefit is expected to further reduce travel expenses for workers leaving Pakistan for employment.
Officials said the initiative is designed to lower the financial burden during the costly pre-departure stage. It also aims to make legal overseas employment more affordable and accessible for skilled workers.
The agreement supports the Punjab government’s Parwaaz Card Scheme, which was introduced earlier this year. The programme was launched to help skilled youth find better employment opportunities in international markets.
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The scheme offers interest-free financial assistance for several essential expenses. These include visa processing, medical examinations, skills verification, Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP) fees and air tickets.
The programme mainly targets skilled workers seeking jobs in construction, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics and retail. It also provides mandatory pre-departure training in workplace readiness, financial literacy and cultural orientation.
Officials believe the partnership with PIA will encourage more Pakistanis to choose legal channels for overseas employment. They also expect it to increase remittance inflows and improve Pakistan’s supply of internationally skilled workers.
The initiative is also in line with the federal government’s National Emigration and Welfare Policy 2026. The policy focuses on promoting safe, legal and well-managed overseas employment opportunities for Pakistanis.
The new travel discount can make overseas jobs easier to access for skilled workers with limited financial resources. If implemented effectively, the programme may increase legal migration, boost remittances and create more opportunities for Pakistan’s workforce.
