New system ready to facilitate overseas Pakistanis on succession issues

Law minister chairs meeting to formulate implementation plan

ISLAMABAD:

Law Minister Barrister Dr Farogh Naseem has called for effective implementation of Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Act, 2020 by the Pakistani missions abroad in order to facilitate the diaspora community.

Chairing a meeting attended by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood and Overseas Pakistanis Secretary Dr Hashim Popalzai, the minister apprised the representatives from the foreign ministries and overseas Pakistanis about the usefulness of the system.

The system is developed with the help of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). The meeting at the law ministry was held to formulate a plan in this regard, said an official handout issued here on Tuesday.

Dr Naseem said that the new system would make it convenient for the overseas Pakistanis to obtain letters of administration and succession certificates with the help of biometric verification at the Pakistani missions abroad.

He added that previously many legal heirs, who lived abroad and were unable to visit Pakistan could not obtain succession certificates because they were required to be present in the country along with the other legal heirs at the same time.

Foreign Secretary Mehmood lauded the initiative and said it would facilitate the Pakistanis living abroad. He added that the foreign ministry would work with the law ministry to educate the overseas Pakistanis, regarding the efficacy of the system.

According to the statement, the law ministry will craft a message in this regard, which will be shared with the Pakistani missions by the Foreign Ministry. The missions will also be equipped to carry out the required services.

The meeting was also attended by Parliamentary Secretary for law Barrister Malaika Bukhari and Law Secretary Raja Naeem Akber. A follow-up meeting on the matter will be held next week, the statement concluded.