Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a comprehensive package of incentives for the overseas Pakistanis, including a range of facilities, such as education and employment quotas, civil awards, and skills development opportunities for their children.
Addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, Shehbaz hailed more than 10 million Pakistani expatriates as "the pride of the nation" and praised their unmatched contributions to the nation-building.
Attended by over 1,200 Pakistani expatriates from across the globe, the two-day convention highlighted various issues facing the Pakistani diaspora. In his address Shehbaz saluted the overseas Pakistanis for their passion and sacrifices for the betterment of the country.
On the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif unveiled a comprehensive welfare package for overseas Pakistanis, aimed at resolving their longstanding legal challenges. He assured the participants of enacting legislation to curb fictitious litigation.
The prime minister announced that special court for overseas Pakistanis had already been established in Islamabad, which would be extended to other provinces for swift resolution of their legal cases. "The government is taking steps to establish such courts in Punjab and Balochistan as well," he said.
"To support this, the government is introducing e-recording and e-filing facilities for overseas Pakistanis to provide evidence through video link from abroad without traveling to Pakistan," he said, adding that the project would be completed in 60 days.
Shehbaz announced quotas in educational institutions, including 5% quota in all universities and 15% in medical colleges, for the children of overseas Pakistanis. He said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would consider overseas Pakistanis as filers in banking and business transaction taxes.
Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) would offer 5,000 skills development courses to the children of the Pakistani expatriates.
The prime minister said that the federal government had granted a five-year age relaxation for male overseas job applicants and a seven-year relaxation for overseas women to apply for government jobs.
Besides, special facilitation offices have been set up by the Boards of Revenue in Punjab and Balochistan, while efforts were afoot o replicate this initiative in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Sindh, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Prime Minister Shehbaz praised Punjab's digital reforms, including online sale deed registration, and announced that the system would be piloted at the Pakistani High Commission in London and later in other missions worldwide.
He further said that orders had been issued to prepare the feasibility of an international airport in Mirpur, AJK. He also announced the revival of the Green Channel at airports – originally initiated by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, to simplify procedures for overseas Pakistanis – within a week.
He lauded the overseas Pakistanis for their unwavering support to the national economy, particularly sending record $4.1 billion in remittances in the month of March. "We estimate that by the end of this fiscal year, the remittances will exceed the country's total exports," he noted.
He announced that every year on August 14, outstanding overseas Pakistanis would be conferred with civil awards based on their remittance contributions. "The diplomatic missions and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) will submit their nominations for the purpose," he added.
The prime minister said that the overseas Pakistanis had made their place through hard work, dedication and sacrifices. "The overseas Pakistanis are earning livelihood by chaste means and through hard work. The overseas Pakistanis are the pride of Pakistan," he said.
The prime minister pledged to personally oversee the investments by overseas Pakistanis in Pakistan. "I will be your CEO. My cabinet and our business community will ensure that your investments are protected and facilitated," he assured.
Shehbaz told the audience that Pakistan had a strong defence and any threat to the country would be "crushed by our valiant armed forces". He also highlighted the sacrifices of 80,000 Pakistanis – including civilians and security personnel – in the fight against terrorism.
He paid tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces, particularly General Asim Munir, whom he called "a man of words and unmatched capability". He said Gen Asim Munir "is a true Pakistani and a thorough professional", adding: "The defence of Pakistan is impregnable under his leadership."
Shehbaz said that terrorism was eliminated from the country in 2018 but it returned when terrorists were settled to Swat and other areas." he added: "Everyone knows who is funding terrorists and where the materials of terrorism are found."
Shehbaz condemned the "venomous narratives" on social media targeting the military, urging the nation to counter such propaganda through logic and patriotism. He stressed the need for recognising the sacrifices of soldiers, who laid down their lives to protect millions.
The prime minister criticised the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for breaching the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which harmed Pakistan's reputation, and lauded the efforts by current and former coalition governments for stabilising the economy.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the just causes of Kashmir and Gaza, denouncing the "brutal ceasefire violations" and the martyrdom of 50,000 Muslims in Gaza.
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