LAHORE: Oman has agreed to examine a proposal by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif seeking relaxation of restrictions on the entry of skilled workers from the province, as the Gulf state acknowledged its growing need for trained manpower.
The development came during a meeting between Maryam Nawaz and Oman’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed Al Habsi in Muscat.
The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, aquaculture and other areas of mutual interest.
The Omani minister said the country continued to face strong demand for skilled workers and praised the capabilities of Pakistani youth. He said skilled workers from Punjab could find opportunities in sectors such as construction, agriculture, aquaculture and other fields.
He also assured the chief minister that Oman would provide Punjab with details of its skilled labour requirements in various sectors.
Maryam Nawaz had proposed easing the existing restrictions on the arrival of skilled workers from Punjab. According to a Punjab government handout issued on Tuesday, the Omani side agreed to consider the proposal.
The meeting also resulted in an understanding to expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
The Omani minister offered support for the establishment of Punjab’s first shrimp centre, while Maryam Nawaz expressed readiness to supply high-quality Pakistani meat to Oman at internationally competitive prices.
The chief minister said Punjab was also taking steps to expand livestock exports and improve production of milk and meat.
She said the provincial government had launched pilot shrimp-farming initiatives last year to promote aquaculture and diversify the agriculture sector.
According to Maryam Nawaz, experimental shrimp farming is currently being carried out in Shah Garh and Ali Wala in Muzaffargarh, as well as in Sargodha.
She said a modern aquaculture mall and shrimp diagnostic laboratory would be established at Shah Garh, describing the facility as Pakistan’s first of its kind.
The chief minister said Punjab was employing modern equipment and farming techniques based on successful aquaculture models from countries including China, Norway, Vietnam and Indonesia.
She added that the provincial government planned to develop shrimp farming on around 30,000 acres across Punjab, including areas of Bahawalpur, and welcomed Omani assistance in expanding the sector.
Maryam Nawaz further said she would approach Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to facilitate the export of live livestock from Punjab to Oman.
The chief minister highlighted Punjab’s ongoing skills-development initiatives, saying thousands of young people had already been trained in accordance with the requirements of domestic and international labour markets.
“Pakistan’s 65 per cent youth is a valuable asset,” she said, adding that modern training programmes were being used to equip young people with market-oriented skills.
She said millions of young people across Punjab were being prepared in various trades and professions to meet employment demands both within Pakistan and overseas.
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