Overseas Pakistanis’ issues discussed

Senate panel given briefing on New Zealand attacks fallout and status of plots of expatriate Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis in its meeting here on Thursday appreciated the ministry’s progress and recommended that measures must be taken to spread awareness to expatriate Pakistanis that would benefit them immensely.

The meeting was held at the Parliament Lodges and the agenda included briefing on New Zealand attacks and the ministry’s role while dealing with such cases, welfare mechanism of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation and status of plots of overseas Pakistanis in Mehran Town, Karachi.

The committee lauded the stance taken by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and said it hugely appreciated the step taken by New Zealand government to award a two-year resident visa to the family members of the victims. The committee also condemned the attack in Sri Lanka on Easter.



Samina Abbas from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed the committee regarding the measures taken in such situations. She said that crisis cells are set up and evacuation plans are drawn. She further stated that the ministry coordinated with the home country police, Pakistan High Commission and the victim’s family.

The committee recommended that it would be more beneficial if officers from within the mission coordinated with the Pakistani community in such situations as they would have access to those who are in an influential position. The committee sought details of injured Pakistanis in the New Zealand attack.

While discussing the welfare mechanism of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, the committee was informed of the various initiatives pursued by the ministry. The committee was told about the Foreign Exchange Remittance Card (FERC) that was created to facilitate all those who remit money through legitimate banking channels.



This card provides the user with duty credits that can be used while visiting Pakistan. The ministry, however, agreed that to popularize this method of money transfer, it was imperative to decrease the duration of transfer.

While discussing the status of Mehran Town plots, the committee formed a sub-committee to probe the matter. Senator Sassui Palijo took up the matter of 2,000 Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia. She said that 200 prisoners have been released, while the fate of 1800 others hangs in the balance.

Palijo called for effective policy making and coordinated efforts on part of both the governments and the opposition to facilitate them. She quoted the recent report published by the Justice Project Pakistan.

The meeting amongst others was attended by Senator Syed Muhammad Sabir Shah, Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senator Nighat Mirza, Senator Sassui Palijo, Senator Dr Shehzad Waseem and senior officers from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.