Of remittances and livelihoods: ANP moves resolution against deportation of Pukhtuns from KSA

QWP minister addresses Saudi delegation, requests leniency towards immigrants.

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak submitted a resolution at the provincial legislature against the deportation of Pukhtun labourers from Saudi Arabia on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the party, the resolution demands the federal government take the issue up with the Saudi government immediately through diplomatic channels. The federal government needs to act fast and redress the issue to save the future of thousands of people in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), demands the resolution.

Meanwhile, K-P Senior Minister for Hydel and Power Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao also called upon Saudi authorities to continue to allow Pukhtun labourers to render services in the country. The minister was quoted telling the Saudi delegation that in view of massive poverty, unemployment and ties between the two nations, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) should not eject the workers.

The delegation was led by Eyad Baaj from Al-Qarnain Ltd, an investment company.

Sherpao also asked Saudi investors to come forward and invest in power generation, mineral exploration and other lucrative sectors in K-P for the mutual benefit of both the countries.

Pukhtun migrants in KSA are mainly employed as unskilled labourers and the wages earned are a major source of income for their families in Pakistan, said Sherpao. Therefore, reports of maltreatment, arrests, evictions and forced deportations cause people in the province much anxiety, he added.

The minister also appreciated the assistance offered to Pakistanis by the KSA and its people in times of need such as earthquakes and financial crises.

In October 2013, the inflow of remittances from Saudi Arabia accounted for $353.5 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th,2013.