Dedicated property projects for overseas Pakistanis soon: Fawad

Talking to Gulf News, info minister says efforts afoot to initiate safe investment schemes for expatriates

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Hussain on Saturday said Pakistan would soon launch dedicated property projects for overseas Pakistanis to provide them with safe investment opportunities in the country.

“Overseas Pakistanis stand behind Pakistan to make it economically strong and Prime Minister Imran Khan promises to stand by them as he has done, which no other prime minister could have even thought of doing for Pakistanis living abroad,” he said in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.

“We are bringing a completely new concept of overseas Pakistanis' investment in the country to keep them safe from any fake or fraudulent real estate schemes," the minister explained.

According to him, the government had already acquired land in Islamabad for the purpose and was in the process of getting more land in Karachi, Lahore and other major cities for Pakistanis living abroad.

"The premier will soon unveil new dedicated investment schemes for Pakistanis living abroad,” Fawad said.

The minister further stated that the premier had given clear instructions to the diplomats in the Pakistani missions abroad that they would only remain in their seats if overseas Pakistanis were satisfied with their work.

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“Prime Minister Imran has made our overseas labourers proud by listening to their issues and resolving them on priority basis," he said, and added the premier had gained "self-respect among the Pakistanis working abroad due to his solid backing for them."

Fawad went on to add that PM Imran was personally monitoring the facilities for overseas Pakistanis and had given them the right to vote. "The government is trying hard that they cast their vote in the next general elections," he remarked.

He further stated that the government had made it easier for the expatriates to get passports, ID cards and power of attorneys online without the need to visit the embassies and consulates.

Inflation, price hike

To a question, the minister termed rising inflation a "concern for some segments of the society", but added it was an international problem now as every country was facing the heat owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"While global economy is still under a lot of strain, Pakistan has done well as its economy saw a 5.3 per cent growth last year," he said terming it an "important landmark achieved on the economic front".

Premier's visit

Fawad announced that Prime Minister Imran would soon visit United Arab Emirates (UAE), though "dates have not yet been confirmed".

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Calling the UAE a second home for Pakistanis, he said his "visit would definitely help grow the economic relations between the two countries".

Boosting tourism

The minister deemed tourism as one of the top agenda items of development for the prime minister, and highlighted that the government was working on a comprehensive plan to avoid an incident similar to the Murree tragedy in future.

Noting that the influx of tourists to the scenic spots was overwhelming, especially in the hilly resorts, he said the government was in the process of introducing several safety guidelines for tourists to ensure hassle-free tourism.

Economic recovery

Replying to a query, Fawad said the biggest achievement of the incumbent government was PM Imran had changed the direction of the economy and now it was on the path of development.

"Pakistan earlier had a service-based economy with focus on imports, but now its economy is standing on its feet with a significant rise in exports, especially in textile sector," he maintained.

Foreign policy

According to the minister, the country was playing a greater role in world affairs due to its solid foreign policy.

"Pakistan has regained respect globally due to the prime premier’s stance on international policies," he remarked.

Also read: ‘Expatriates should invest in their homeland’

“Even with regard to India, we have a very clear policy that we want good relationship as people from across the border also want the same for they have a lot in common with people in Pakistan,” he opined.

Fawad also said that Pakistan wanted to be a trade partner with India as both countries can benefit from this and together, both countries could become one of the largest markets in the world.

TAPI project

The minister called for progress on the long-pending Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) project, saying it would help resolve energy crises in both the countries.

TAPI aims to export up to 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year through a 1,800km pipeline from Turkmenistan to India, passing through Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He highlighted that the Taliban government had already endorsed the project and Pakistan was ready to extend this gas pipeline to India. “Our friendly relations with India can be a game changer in the region."

Environment initiatives

According to Fawad, a major contribution by the premier was to put the focus back on environment in Pakistan.

“Imran Khan is the only PM who speaks about environment and has made drastic changes in polices to tackle environmental issues. We are now talking about green economy and this is not an easy shift given the resources,” he remarked.

Afghan crisis

On Afghanistan, he noted that the neighbouring country was in a shambles as global aid agencies have predicted that humanitarian crisis was getting worse in Afghanistan.

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The minister urged the countries around the world to work together to resolve the issue.

After an extraordinary session of the foreign ministers of OIC, Pakistan was successful in garnering support from all. The UN also launched $5 billion appeal to help Afghanistan cope with its worst ever- humanitarian crisis.

"We have also asked the Taliban to have an inclusive government representing all segments of society. We have asked them to include Uzbek and Tajik communities in their government to ensure a smooth sailing," Fawad said.

On the occasion, he said that the week-long Pakistani music and film festival at Expo 2020 Dubai would feature Pakistani films, saying he expected visitors from different nationalities to visit the pavilion and watch the movies.

"Expo 2020 Dubai has given Pakistan a huge opportunity to showcase film and music industry here. The festival will help bring Pakistani films closer to film producers in the UAE. We are also looking at joint venture opportunities to develop our film and music industry”, the minister concluded.