BCCI seeks work permits for skilled Afghans

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has urged the federal government to issue work permits to skilled Afghan refugees employed across various sectors in the province.

BCCI Vice-President Haji Akhtar Kakar made the demand at a recent meeting with farmers, industrialists and mine owners from different parts of Balochistan.

Dawn quoted him as saying the province was already facing a shortage of skilled workers, a situation that could deteriorate further — if not addressed urgently.

Kakar noted Balochistan had traditionally relied on skilled workers from other provinces.

However, due to worsening security conditions, many of those workers are now unwilling to relocate to the province. Consequently, Afghan workers have become a vital part of the local workforce.

He stressed the recent decision to expel Afghan refugees had severely affected Balochistan’s agriculture, mining and industrial sectors, as a significant portion of labour in these industries was comprised of skilled Afghan workers.

sa/mud