Pakistan

Expatriates have a major role to play in improving Pakistan's economy: PM

Premier lauds efforts of expatriate community for sending remittances to the country from Saudi Arabia

Web Desk March 06, 2015

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: PID

MADINA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that Pakistani expatriate community has an important role to play in improving the economy of the country, Express News reported.

Addressing a delegation of Pakistani community in Madina, the premier lauded the efforts of expatriate Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia for sending remittances of around $4.75 billion to the country every year.

"It is a matter of pride," he added.

PM Nawaz spoke to the community after performing Umra in Makkah.

Read: Three-day visit: Nawaz heads to Saudi Arabia today

He said his government believes in ensuring the sanctity of the democratic institutions, Radio Pakistan reported.

"Another phase of democratic process has been completed after holding the Senate elections," the premier also said.

The prime minister further said that the government would introduce electoral reforms in coopeartion will all parties for holding elections in 2018.

He assured that the polls would be free of all the weaknesses of past.

Speaking about Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties, he said the relationship between the two countries will grow stronger soon.

PM Nawaz also said the two countries will continue to exchange delegations to further promote and strengthen their friendship.

COMMENTS (17)

Ansar | 9 years ago | Reply HAMZA, Expats include 3rd and 4th Gen Pakistanis who loathe Sharif and his entire ilk and Zradari. We work effortlessly to promote Pakistan not for any party or person but love for Pak Sarah Zameen and when we come to visit you treat us like dirt. We will continue loving and working for Pakistan and if we had the right to vote it would not be for these dead beats.

Humza | 9 years ago | Reply @Emad Shah: How do you know for a fact that most expatriates support this or that party. Most expatriates I know support PML N since they are seen as economy friendly party which is concentrating on improving infrastructure. It is only with a sound infrastructure and less red tape that businesses and the economy can flourish. Expatriates will invest more when stability continues to return as is currently taking place under Nawaz Sharif. Major Western banks and financial institutions agree with their policies too.

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Azim | 9 years ago | Reply And what about right to vote? you will ensure that election reform fail to provide facilities for overseas Pakistani to vote during the election.

nadeem | 9 years ago | Reply pm sahib you need to reduce the internation calling rate for overseas pakistani, we sending a billion dollar a month to our country, but can not talk to our friends and family because of the high triaff rate taxes on international calls

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply Last I checked pml n has a majority in parliament . It seems you, Qadari and Niazi are the ones licking the wounds.

zara haq | 9 years ago | Reply @Blithe: And the projects that keep getting shelved after initial millions of spending on feasibility reports. And pardon me please list all infrastructure projects including metro. Lets hear.

Rex Minor | 9 years ago | Reply And the God of Ibrahim shaped humans to be in the centre of the universe and not money or gold. For this this Prime Minister and several before him, it is the money factor and greed to amass it, is the motivator for power. Rex Minor

Hamood | 9 years ago | Reply @Blithe, you seem to be always alone in Sharif families support. Ever wonder why?

ishrat salim | 9 years ago | Reply @Blithe: And what has the poor people got during last PPP govt and now PMLN govt.....? Where has all those pre election promises gone ? Gone for a sixer....go and ask from poor people in the street..are they happy and satisfied, you may loose your shirt or pant or may b both....

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply @Anarchist: Reserves are up to usd 16bio , pkr is stable. , the violent Imran Niazi and Qadari have been snookered, Pakistan is building an LNG terminal , much needed infrastructure spending is going on , we are improving our diplomatic ties with GCC and the world , we have statesman and peace maker in the PM. I have not praised him enough.

Hasan | 9 years ago | Reply Yes Mr. PM. The same Ex-Pats whom you've denied the right of voting. same Ex-Pats whom you've barred from running for a public office, same Ex-Pats whom you've barred from holding public jobs and now all the burden is onus. No Taxation (in our case, reprivation) without representation.

Anarchist | 9 years ago | Reply @Blithe: For exactly what achievement are you showering praise on him? Petrol crisis, Metro fiasco, energy crisis, corruption, nepotism, meritless appointments and the list goes on... Last, name one thing he has done for expatriates. Giving them their constitutional right to vote would be a good beginning.

Emad Shah | 9 years ago | Reply I know for a fact that most expatriates support PTI; because Nawaz and zardari are hopeless. Thats why PPP and PMLn are scared of giving expatriates voting rights.

ZQ | 9 years ago | Reply And you have even a more major role in making sure our money is spent on the development of our country. Get things in control Mr. PM, and then us expatriates can send enough money that you will not need the financial aid from the US, Saudi Arabia or anyone else.

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply Well done PM! But the efforts must continue to change Pakistan from a remittance economy to a real one .

ishrat salim | 9 years ago | Reply Yes PM Sb, you just realized how important we are, then why we are not given right to vote ?

khalid | 9 years ago | Reply Yes Mr Prime minister yes we expats live away from our family,friends and home, work hard, while you and others like you spend our hard earned money ruthlessly on your perks and privileges and make your own and your families financial empires abroad from this while the nation suffers and lives in inhuman conditions...yes Mr Prime minister you do do need our money...shame on making such a statement.....

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