Zulfi stresses on investment in real estate sector

Special assistant to PM says Qatar to open special centre in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfiqar Bukhari aka Zulfi has said one of the reasons for the development of foreign countries was the thriving investment in the real estate sector.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Sunday, the minister said, it was inevitable to invest in the housing sector.

About the recently launched Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme, Zulfi said nothing was difficult for PM Imran, adding that the construction of Shaukat Khannum Hospital was not short of a challenge.

With the similar spirit, the housing scheme had been launched and efforts would be made to make it successful.



Meanwhile, Law Minister for Punjab Raja Basharat said when new governments take over they faced many challenges. And in this course of action “change” should be felt, he stressed.

Responding to the outcry from opposition in the province, Basharat said protests should be held against the proposed policies and mistakes of the government. However, the reason for the protest outside the Punjab Assembly was unclear, he added.

Moreover, speaking to APP, the special assistant said that the Qatar Embassy was all set to establish a special centre in Islamabad for the facilitation of Pakistani workforce aimed at increasing job opportunities and avoiding exploitation at the hands of employers abroad.

“Such a facility will ease the visa getting process for Pakistanis, ensure their safety and legal rights in Qatar, giving a substantial boost to the receipt of remittances through legal means,” Zulfi said.

Zulfi said increased job opportunities in Qatar would pave the way to make the national economy stronger and more vibrant.

He said Qatar wanted to further strengthen its ties with Pakistan, which was evident from the fact that it had selected Pakistan from eight countries for setting up ‘Qatar Visa Centre’ to facilitate the aspirant manpower.

In first phase, the special assistant said eight such centres would be set up in selected countries to facilitate the workers by simplifying the procedure of employee-employer contract before arriving in Qatar.

Those centres were aimed at protecting the rights of the workforce, who were exploited at the hands of employers, he said, adding that the officials at the centres would guide the aspirants regarding recruitment procedure for employment in Qatar, besides acquainting them about their legal rights.



The initiative would not only bring down number of returning workers due to different complexities abroad but also ensure instant employment soon after their entry into Qatar, he added.

Referring to the recent meeting with Qatari ambassador in Pakistan, Zulfi said the envoy had reposed confidence in Pakistan and given a positive gesture by increasing the number of jobs for Pakistani workforce in his country.

Currently, he said, there were around 115,000 Pakistani workers in Qatar, while it had recently announced over 100,000 more jobs for Pakistanis.

[WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP]