Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveiled a comprehensive and ambitious welfare package for overseas Pakistanis during the inaugural session of the first-ever Overseas Pakistanis Convention held in Islamabad. The announcement came as part of a larger initiative to recognize and reward the contributions of over 10 million Pakistanis living abroad, who the premier hailed as “the pride of the nation.” Addressing a gathering of more than 1,200 expatriates from across the globe, the prime minister expressed his deep gratitude for their unwavering support in bolstering Pakistan’s economy and fostering national development.
In a significant move to address the persistent legal challenges faced by the diaspora, PM Shehbaz announced the establishment of a special court for overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad, with plans to expand it to other provinces. This dedicated legal mechanism is designed to ensure swift resolution of disputes involving expatriates, minimizing the bureaucratic delays that have long plagued such cases. Complementing this initiative, the government will roll out e-recording and e-filing services, allowing overseas Pakistanis to submit evidence and participate in legal proceedings remotely via video link. NADRA has been instructed to complete the digital infrastructure for this initiative within 60 days.
In the realm of education and employment, the premier laid out a host of incentives aimed at integrating the children of overseas Pakistanis more closely into the national mainstream. Notably, he announced specific quotas in various academic institutions: five percent in all chartered universities out of 10,000 seats, five percent in federal capital-based degree-awarding institutes, and a generous 15 percent quota in medical colleges. Furthermore, FBR will now automatically recognize overseas Pakistanis as filers, enabling them to benefit from reduced taxes on banking and business transactions. The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) will also provide 5,000 skill development courses for the children of expatriates.
To improve job accessibility, the federal government has granted a five-year age relaxation for male overseas Pakistanis applying for government jobs and an extended seven-year relaxation for women. Additional support mechanisms include the establishment of special facilitation offices by the Boards of Revenue in Punjab and Balochistan, with similar setups in the pipeline for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Digital reforms implemented in Punjab, such as the online registration of sale deeds, will also be introduced in foreign missions, starting with the Pakistani High Commission in London.
The prime minister took pride in the overseas community’s contribution to Pakistan’s economy, citing a record $4.1 billion in remittances for the month of March. He projected that the total remittances for the fiscal year would surpass $38 billion, exceeding the country’s overall exports. In a move to honor this dedication, PM Shehbaz announced the revival of the Green Channel at airports to facilitate returning expatriates. Additionally, starting this August 14, outstanding members of the diaspora will be honored with civil awards based on their remittance contributions, with nominations submitted by Pakistan’s diplomatic missions and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF).
In his speech, the prime minister also lauded the services of the Pakistani armed forces, reserving special praise for Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, whom he described as a man of integrity and unmatched capability. Reaffirming the country’s military strength, PM Shehbaz issued a strong warning against any threats to national security, declaring they would be crushed with full force. He paid homage to the 80,000 lives lost, both civilian and military, in the war against terrorism, and called on the public to defend the armed forces from malicious online campaigns with logic and patriotism.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to global justice, the prime minister condemned the ongoing atrocities in Kashmir and Gaza. He decried the brutal ceasefire violations and the killing of over 50,000 Muslims in Gaza, aligning Pakistan’s foreign policy with the rights of oppressed communities.
In closing, PM Shehbaz pledged to personally oversee overseas investments, vowing to act as the “CEO” for expatriates looking to invest in Pakistan. He assured the community that their capital would be safeguarded and facilitated at every step by his cabinet and Pakistan’s business ecosystem. Chairman of the OPF, Syed Qamar Raza, echoed this sentiment, sharing that 14 major demands of overseas Pakistanis had already been addressed through the prime minister’s intervention. A high-powered committee under Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has been constituted to ensure further reforms. Raza also confirmed that the Overseas Pakistanis Convention will now be an annual event held every April, and acknowledged the vital role of COAS Munir in organizing this landmark convention on such short notice.
