(April-16-2025) Karachi : The Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, the President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, the President of All Karachi Industrial Alliance, the Chairman of the FPCCI Advisory Board, and the President and former provincial minister, Mian Zahid Hussain, said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s announcement of a welfare package for overseas Pakistanis is genuinely commendable and demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting our citizens abroad.
He stated that the purpose of this package is to acknowledge the significance of overseas Pakistanis and address their legal and other issues. It will also offer them job and education quotas and various incentives, such as awards and skill development programs, to enhance their morale.
Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, while addressing the first two-day Overseas Pakistanis Convention held in Islamabad, paid tribute to the expatriates for their unparalleled contribution to nation-building and called them the pride of the nation.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister said that a special court for overseas Pakistanis has already been established in Islamabad and will be extended to all provinces so that legal cases filed by expatriates can be decided as soon as possible.
It is also noteworthy that the government is introducing e-recording and e-filing facilities for overseas Pakistanis so that they can provide evidence through video links without coming to Pakistan.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the Prime Minister announced quotas in educational institutions under which children of overseas Pakistanis will be given a 5% quota in all chartered universities, 5% in federal educational institutions, and 15% in medical colleges.
He noted that the Federal Board of Revenue will now consider overseas Pakistani filers, which will provide them with relief in banking, business transactions, and other matters.
The federal government has also relaxed the age limit for job applicants abroad. The Prime Minister praised Punjab’s digital reforms and announced that this system would be launched at the Pakistani High Commission in London and later on in other missions worldwide. It also announced restoring the green channel for overseas Pakistanis at airports.
In addition, he said that on August 14, every year, overseas Pakistanis will be awarded civil awards based on remittances, which will encourage them.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the Prime Minister pledged to monitor the investments of overseas Pakistanis in the country personally and assured them of all kinds of protection.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that on this occasion, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir appreciated the patriotic spirit of Pakistanis abroad, thanked them for sending $4.1 billion to the country in March, and assured them of all kinds of cooperation and protection, which is commendable.
Pakistanis living abroad also expressed their great love for the Army Chief and assured him of their full support, which is necessary at this time.
He said that Pakistanis living abroad have always been ignored while earning more for the country from the export sector. The current government’s recognition of expats’ services will raise their spirits.
