Govt will protect overseas Pakistanis’ interests, says CM

Delegation of overseas Pakistanis meets Shahbaz Sharif

LAHORE: Pakistanis living abroad are the country’s ambassadors. They are also playing an important role in the strengthening the national economy, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday.

He was talking to a delegation of overseas Pakistanis in London. Afzaal Bhatti, the Overseas Pakistanis’ commissioner, was also present.



“Overseas Pakistanis are working in medical, engineering, science and technology, and banking sectors. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government is taking significant steps to resolve their problems,” he said.

The chief minister said that the Overseas Pakistanis’ Commission was an autonomous constitutional institution. “The commission is making commendable efforts for addressing the complaints of overseas Pakistanis. The government has given a constitutional status to the commission,” he said.

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The chief minister said that the government was aware of the problems faced by Pakistanis living in other countries. “The commission has been established to resolve these problems on a priority basis. Committees have been formed at district level to address their problems,” he said.

“No one will be allowed to grab the properties of those earning foreign exchange for the country. Solving overseas Pakistanis’ problems is a responsibility of the government,” he said.

The chief minister said that overseas Pakistanis no longer had to pay frequent visits to various government offices to resolve their problems. “They can register their complaints online. Immediate action is then taken on their complaints,” he said.



The chief minister said that Pakistanis living abroad were playing a key role in the strengthening the economy and their services to the nation were appreciated. “Overseas Pakistanis are improving the image of Pakistan in foreign countries through hard work. They deserve our respect. We will safeguard their interests,” he said.

He said that the Overseas Pakistanis Commission had been established to redress the grievances of Pakistanis working abroad. “Through the establishment of Overseas Pakistanis Commission, the foundation of a new system has been laid. It will ensure justice to overseas Pakistanis and protect their rights,” he said.

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Members of the delegation praised the Punjab government for taking practical steps to resolve the problems of overseas Pakistanis. They said that the establishment of Overseas Pakistanis Commission was a historic step. “The commission is playing an important role in resolving the problems of Pakistanis living abroad,” they said. They said that the establishment of the Overseas Pakistanis Commission had been a longstanding demand of Pakistanis living in other countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2015.