ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to unveil a special relief package for overseas Pakistanis today (Tuesday), according to Syed Qamar Raza, Chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF).
The announcement is anticipated during the Overseas Pakistanis Convention 2025, which commenced on Monday at the Convention Centre in Islamabad.
While addressing participants at the event, Mr. Qamar Raza stated that the package is being formulated to tackle the most pressing issues raised by the diaspora.
He also confirmed that the proposals being considered were directly submitted by overseas Pakistanis themselves.
A 14-point agenda has already been developed based on feedback from the expatriate community, he said. This agenda outlines their key demands and concerns and is currently being reviewed by a high-level committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
“This agenda is built on repeated feedback received through various public forums and meetings with our overseas community,” Mr. Qamar explained.
Delegates from countries including the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, and others praised the government’s initiative to host the first-ever convention solely dedicated to the interests and concerns of the Pakistani diaspora.
The event drew over 400 non-resident Pakistanis, along with the participation of high commissioners and diplomatic representatives from the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Italy, and Malaysia.
Discussions during the convention focused on the contributions of overseas Pakistanis, the challenges they face, and the potential for deeper collaboration with Pakistan’s ministries and institutions.
OPF & SIFC
Organized by the OPF with support from various government bodies, the event was held in coordination with ministries of Trade, Commerce and Investment, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and the Ministry of Interior.
A major highlight of the event was the presence of service desks from multiple key institutions — including NADRA, FIA, NAB, Passport and Immigration Office, State Bank of Pakistan, and FBR — providing on-the-spot assistance and information to overseas participants.
During the convention, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq addressed the gathering and emphasized that protecting the land and property rights of overseas Pakistanis is a legislative priority.
He noted that overseas citizens frequently face encroachments or fraudulent property dealings back home and assured them that new laws are being drafted to ensure their assets are safeguarded.
Mr. Sadiq also spoke on the dangers of informal money transfer channels such as hawala and hundi, warning that these illegal methods not only harm the national economy but also create legal complications for overseas citizens.
He encouraged the use of official banking channels for sending remittances and highlighted the need for further awareness on this issue.
He also called for greater participation of overseas Pakistanis in the democratic process, suggesting that serious consideration be given to proposals allowing them to vote in national elections.
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Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain commended the diaspora for their critical role in sustaining the economy through record-high remittances.
He stressed that the purpose of the convention was not just ceremonial but aimed at directly engaging with the community and resolving their long-standing issues.
Mr. Salik revealed that the government had recently enacted special legislation in favor of overseas Pakistanis, which has already become law in Punjab.
As part of this legal framework, special courts dedicated to overseas Pakistanis will be established.
These courts will be required to deliver verdicts within 90 days, allowing for swift resolution of disputes.
Most notably, overseas Pakistanis will no longer need to travel to Pakistan for every court hearing, easing a significant burden.
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The convention is expected to continue today, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir scheduled to address the attendees.
Their participation underscores the government’s recognition of the diaspora’s economic and social importance to Pakistan.
