Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a significant address during the Overseas Pakistanis Convention held in Islamabad, unveiled a comprehensive package of incentives aimed at recognising the immense contributions of the Pakistani diaspora.
The package includes a host of measures such as tax exemptions, special legal facilitation, reserved quotas in education and employment, and skill development opportunities, all designed to strengthen the connection between Pakistan and its overseas citizens.
Among the central announcements was the reactivation of the ‘green channel’ at Pakistani airports and border entry points, intended to simplify and expedite immigration and customs procedures for expatriates.
This initiative, first mentioned earlier in the year, has now been slated for launch within the coming weeks.
The Prime Minister described it as a transformative step aimed at easing travel experiences for overseas Pakistanis, many of whom frequently visit home for family and business reasons.
The convention, attended by more than 1,200 members of the overseas Pakistani community from various parts of the world, served as a platform to acknowledge the role of the more than 10 million Pakistanis living abroad.
The Prime Minister, expressing deep appreciation, hailed them as the pride of the nation and pivotal contributors to the national economy and global image of Pakistan.
A significant development shared during the event was the establishment of a special court in Islamabad dedicated to handling legal matters pertaining to overseas Pakistanis, with plans to replicate this model in all provinces.
This move is intended to ensure swift justice and to address the common grievance of delayed or unfair legal proceedings often faced by expatriates.
The Prime Minister also revealed that overseas missions would soon be equipped with facilities to record evidence via video link, and that e-filing systems would be introduced to streamline case submissions.
Furthermore, legislative amendments are in the pipeline to reform civil court procedures, with a specific aim to eliminate false and malicious litigation against non-resident Pakistanis.
In the realm of education, PM Shehbaz introduced reserved quotas for the children of overseas Pakistanis.
A five percent allocation has been set for all chartered universities out of a pool of 10,000 seats, in addition to a five percent quota for degree-awarding institutions in Islamabad, and a 15 percent quota for medical colleges.
These steps are designed to ensure that the children of overseas families have improved access to higher education back home.
Taxes and Overseas
On the fiscal front, the Prime Minister announced that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would now treat overseas Pakistanis as ‘filers’, which would afford them significant tax relief, especially in banking and financial transactions.
Complementing this, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission is set to offer 5,000 skills-based training opportunities for the children of expatriates, with the goal of enhancing employability and strengthening ties between younger generations and their roots in Pakistan.
Recognising the employment challenges faced by returning citizens, the Prime Minister also announced an age relaxation policy for government job applicants, offering a five-year concession for men and a seven-year relaxation for women residing abroad.
Additionally, facilitation offices have been established by the Boards of Revenue in Punjab and Balochistan, with plans to extend these services to other provinces and regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Shehbaz Sharif took the opportunity to commend Punjab’s progress in digital governance, including the introduction of an online system for registering sale deeds.
Read More: COAS Gen Asim Munir Hails Overseas Pakistanis, Reaffirms Pakistan’s Strength and Vision
He disclosed that this digital registration service would be piloted at the Pakistani High Commission in London before being implemented in other diplomatic missions, ensuring that land and property transactions can be carried out remotely and transparently by the diaspora.
Expressing gratitude for the financial contributions of overseas Pakistanis, the Prime Minister noted that remittances had reached a record $4.1 billion in March alone, and projected that total remittances for the fiscal year would exceed $38 billion, potentially surpassing the country’s export earnings.
Overseas and OPF
In recognition of this vital economic support, it was announced that from now on, outstanding overseas Pakistanis will be honoured annually on August 14 with national civil awards, selected based on remittance data tracked by the State Bank of Pakistan.
The nomination process will be jointly managed by Pakistan’s diplomatic missions and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF).
The Prime Minister also addressed security concerns, particularly the resurgence of terrorism in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He paid tribute to the armed forces and security personnel who continue to make sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, and condemned the misinformation and negative propaganda circulating on social media about the military.
Also Read: NADRA Launches New Digital Security for Overseas Pakistanis
Urging citizens to counter such narratives through rational discourse and patriotism, Shehbaz reaffirmed the nation’s enduring solidarity with both the Kashmiri people and the Palestinians in Gaza, reiterating Pakistan’s principled stance on these longstanding international issues.
What’s in it for Overseas Pakistanis?
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Green Channel Revival:
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This will streamline immigration/customs for expats at Pakistani entry points, which could drastically cut down on airport hassle — especially during peak travel times like Eid or summer.
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Legal Support:
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Special Courts just for expats’ cases in Islamabad (with plans to expand).
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Video evidence recording in embassies.
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Civil procedure reforms to protect against fake lawsuits.
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Education Quotas:
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5% in all chartered universities.
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5% in Islamabad’s degree colleges.
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15% in medical colleges — a pretty major bump.
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Tax Relief & FBR Reforms:
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Diaspora to be treated as filers, giving them better rates on transactions and easier financial interactions.
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Job Incentives:
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Age relaxation: 5 years for men, 7 years for women applying to government jobs.
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Skill Development: 5,000 vocational training spots for children of overseas Pakistanis.
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Recognition:
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Annual civil awards on August 14 for top remittance contributors.
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A mega convention every April moving forward.
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🧠 “Brain Gain, Not Drain”
Army Chief Gen Asim Munir’s comments really stand out. Instead of lamenting talent leaving the country, he’s flipping the script — saying the diaspora is a strength, not a loss.
That kind of narrative shift is rare and probably much-needed.
Also Read: Pakistan to Host First-Ever Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad
💰 Economic Context:
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$4.1B in remittances in March alone? That’s impressive.
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If the total hits $38B this fiscal year, remittances will outpace exports — making expats arguably Pakistan’s biggest economic engine right now.
🇵🇸 & 🏔️ Political Notes:
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PM Shehbaz didn’t shy away from reaffirming Pakistan’s positions on Kashmir and Gaza, and Gen Munir took a hard line on terrorism, especially in Balochistan and KP.
