Islamabad: In a historic first, the Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) will host a three-day Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad from April 13 to 15.
This is aimed at engaging the diaspora, gathering their input on policy reforms, and strengthening national ties with overseas communities.
According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the convention will serve multiple purposes:
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Welcome home diaspora members with full state honours
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Identify and address grievances and procedural issues faced by overseas Pakistanis
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Gather policy input for improving expatriate services
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Encourage investment and contribution to Pakistan’s development journey
All overseas participants will be treated as state guests, with special airport receptions, welcome banners, and protocol arrangements—an initiative personally endorsed by the Prime Minister.
Read More: PM Shehbaz Orders Green Channel Restoration to Ease Overseas Pakistanis’ Travel
Unified Government Outreach
To ensure meaningful engagement, multiple federal departments will establish on-site help desks at the convention venue, offering:
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Policy guidance
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Complaint resolution
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Investment facilitation
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Legal and consular services
This effort underscores the state’s seriousness in institutionalizing diaspora inclusion and improving public service delivery.
🌍 Islamabad Eyes Global Trade Footprint
Separately, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the need for a world-class expo center in Islamabad to showcase Pakistani products and enhance global trade engagement.
Speaking at the Gujranwala Expo in Islamabad, he stated:
“Pakistan has globally competitive products. We must position them as global brands.”
He reiterated that export-led growth is the only sustainable path to economic stability, and the government remains committed to policies that facilitate exports, innovation, and industrial growth.
Also Read: Overseas Pakistanis’ Remittances Surpass $3.1 Billion in February 2025
Strategic Implications:
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Diaspora Diplomacy: The convention enhances soft power and economic diplomacy through diaspora engagement.
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Policy Feedback Loop: It opens channels for participatory governance, especially on property rights, investment bottlenecks, and dual nationality integration.
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Trade Infrastructure: The expo center proposal aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to integrate into global value chains and diversify export markets.
