https://arab.news/72qzd
- Government held an overseas Pakistanis' conference in April, promising investment protection
- It also acknowledged they should have voting rights and reserved seats in national parliament
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday directed ministries to speed up measures to assist Pakistani nationals abroad, recognizing their economic contributions and reviewing progress made since an overseas Pakistanis’ conference in April, the foreign office said.
The three-day convention brought together Pakistani citizens from dozens of countries to engage directly with senior government officials and policy makers.
The agenda included facilitating investment, resolving issues faced by expatriates, and improving consular and welfare services.
The government announced a single-window service to handle most of their problems and agreed to set up special police desks and expedited legal mechanisms to protect expatriates’ properties and speed up dispute resolution.
“Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a committee meeting today to review progress on the special package for Overseas Pakistanis, a follow-up to the Prime Minister’s directives issued after the April Overseas Pakistanis Conference,” the foreign office said in a statement. “While progress was noted, the DPM directed ministries to expedite remaining deliverables.”
“The DPM/FM reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Pakistani diaspora, recognizing their contributions and ensuring practical facilitation for citizens abroad and their families at home,” it added.
The government also announced at the event the convention will be held annually and directed embassies to create standing councils of overseas community leaders.
It promised better recognition of foreign degrees and easier access to Pakistan’s health facilities for returning families, while pledging to expand Roshan Digital Accounts, launch special diaspora investment bonds and simplify procedures for sending remittances and investing in real estate and industry.
It further reaffirmed the right of overseas Pakistanis to vote in general elections and said it would explore creating reserved parliamentary seats for the diaspora.