Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan is facing persistent challenges of upskilling overseas Pakistanis, especially in digital technology, due to a lack of a people-centred approach ensuring the community’s engagement.

“A tech-driven, people-cenetred approach involves designing, developing, and deploying technology. It prioritises human needs when implementing or utilising technology. Pakistan can ensure its diaspora’s socioeconomic prosperity through such an approach,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.

Talking to WealthPK on condition of anonymity, he said that for the upskilling of overseas Pakistanis to meet market demands, a fundamental shift is direly needed to monitor how overseas assistance is deployed in the country. “Pakistan continues to receive substantial foreign aid. But the outcomes have fallen short due to fragmented implementation, limited digital integration, and a disconnection from grassroots realities.”

The ministry official said: “Conventional aid alone is insufficient to meet developmental challenges as it often fails to address root causes. So, a tech-driven, people-centred approach is required to empower communities. To leverage this dual approach it is necessary to derive a model consisting of cutting-edge technology with deep community engagement. Without inclusive design, transparency and cultural sensitivity, only the old patterns of failure will be replicated with newer tools.”

“Pakistan is facing compound systematic vulnerabilities, including digital inequality, poor service delivery and rapid urbanisation,” the ministry official told WealthPK. He said that over 60% of Pakistan’s population is under 30, offering a demographic dividend. “This growing youth population needs education, skills, and jobs. Illiteracy is causing low local adaptation of tech solutions. It is hindering the export flow of skilled, educated, and technically trained workforce.”

He said, “The Planning Commission’s next Medium Term Development Framework (2025-28) will include digital transformation with social equity by integrating tech solutions in different areas, particularly e-learning.” He said that integrating innovation with community is key to building long-term national economic resilience. “A people-centred approach consists of designs for low-literacy and low-income users. It ensures that women and marginalised groups are not excluded from digital benefits.”

The ministry official said: “It is necessary to prioritise inclusive digital infrastructure to expand broadcast access in underserved regions. Investment in public digital infrastructure, including digital ID and data platforms through ODA (Official Development Assistance), is vital. Mandated participatory planning in donor-funded projects with a human-centred approach is crucial to ensure local ownership and relevance.” 

Meanwhile, Saleh Mangrio, Executive Director for Rural Change, an NGO, said, “Pakistan has long been struggling to ensure overseas Pakistanis’ development through foreign aid, donor-driven projects, and large infrastructure investments, but these conventional aid models are too slow to address development gaps. It highlights a critical need for rethinking how aid is designed and delivered.”

He said corruption and weak governance often hampered the impact of aid in Pakistan. “For enhanced transparency and accountability, digital tools like blockchain, open data platforms, and citizen reporting apps can improve transparency in how aid is used. However, for these tools to be trusted and effective, they must be co-designed with communities and civil society, reflecting local concerns and power dynamics.”

Mangrio told WealthPK: “A tech-driven people-centred approach can be the most promising path forward. Technology enables faster, data-driven interventions while local engagement ensures that interventions are meaningful, inclusive and sustainable.”

Talking to WealthPK, Nawaz Janwery, who is associated with the Sindh Local Government’s ‘SWEEP’ project, said: “Success depends on citizen engagement, user trust and inclusive work flow. A people-centerd approach ensures that interventions are gender sensitive, culturally appropritae, and equitable for all across the country.” 

He said the system’s transparency can be improved by upgrading citizen feedback tools and open data portals through technological innovation. “It will also help promote blockchain and digital audits for aid tracking and public finance. It is important to direct foreign aid to support local tech and innovation ecosystems.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk