“They (overseas Pakistanis) lack basic knowledge of who to contact in difficult situations such as arrests, road accidents or visa expiry,” says official.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Home and Tribal Affairs Department has nominated focal persons at provincial and division levels to communicate with overseas Pakistanis.
Officials said a large number of K-P residents employed abroad, who send remittances back to the country, face numerous problems that need to be addressed immediately.
They said the department will focus on reducing hardships faced by Pakistanis living overseas. Most of these individuals weren’t educated or able to fend for themselves in emergencies, added officials.
“They (overseas Pakistanis) lack basic knowledge of who to contact in difficult situations such as arrests, road accidents or visa expiry,” said an official requesting anonymity.
A spokesperson for the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, Qamar Ali said it took notice of the situation keeping in mind the conditions faced by overseas Pakistanis.
He said Deputy Secretary Administration Muntazir Khan has been appointed to coordinate with Pakistani citizens living abroad, while assistants to all seven divisional commissioners have also been nominated.
“Yes, reaching and receiving assistance from Pakistani embassies is difficult, and this is the reason behind nominating persons to keep in close contact with them,” said Ali.
He added there was a mechanism already in place for this purpose, but it took time because information was first received by the Foreign Office and then forwarded to provincial home departments.
Qamar Ali requested all overseas Pakistanis to inform their relatives in Pakistan to reach out to divisional or provisional focal personnel in case of an emergency, so that any issue can be resolved within the minimum possible time frame.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2013.
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“Yes, reaching and receiving assistance from Pakistani embassies is difficult, and this is the reason behind nominating persons to keep in close contact with them,” said Ali."
If Pakistani embassies are unable ( ill equipped to provide help it is better to equip them with the right right mindset/ willingness ) and also amending the bureaucratic procedures for reporting by embassies directly to concerned officials at Pakistan if so required., including delegating authority to embassy officials. . In addition to above a designated official at Pakistan will be of help to mitigate some difficulties of expats.