Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Tuesday a special package tailored for overseas Pakistanis, which includes the establishment of special courts across all provinces of Pakistan to ensure the swift resolution of their cases.
Paying tribute to their contributions to the nation, the Prime Minister made this announcement while addressing the First Annual Overseas Pakistanis’ Convention in the federal capital, a day after the country recorded a historic $4.1 billion in remittances.
“Special courts have been established in Islamabad for the expedited disposal of cases related to overseas Pakistanis.” He further elaborated that similar courts would be set up in all provinces.
The Prime Minister added that the Pakistani diaspora would be facilitated with the option to attend court hearings via video link, and they would also be provided with e-filing capabilities.
“A 5% quota will be reserved for overseas Pakistanis in federal universities. 3,000 children of overseas Pakistanis will be granted admission to medical colleges,” the Prime Minister announced.
Furthermore, he announced a five-year age relaxation in government job applications for overseas Pakistanis.
To further facilitate the Pakistani diaspora, the PM highlighted the launch of online sale deed registration in Punjab and mentioned that a dedicated office has been designated for them within the province.
“An international airport will be established in Mirpur [capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)],” the Prime Minister announced, emphasizing that the establishment of an international airport in the city has been a long-standing demand of overseas Pakistanis.
Moreover, the Prime Minister announced that every year on August 14, overseas Pakistanis would be honored with civil awards for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields.
“15 overseas Pakistanis will be given civil awards every year,” he added.
‘Brain Gain’
Chief of the Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, addressing the event, characterized overseas Pakistanis as the prime example of “brain gain.”
The Army Chief stated: “Those who propagate the narrative of brain drain should know that this is not brain drain but brain gain.”
Commending the contributions of the Pakistani diaspora to the country, the Army Chief said: “You are not just ambassadors of Pakistan but the light of Pakistan that shines across the globe.”
He asserted that even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan or Pakistan, adding: “Balochistan is the destiny of Pakistan and the crown jewel on our forehead.”
He emphasized that as long as the nation stands united with the armed forces, no one can inflict harm upon Pakistan.
The Army Chief said: “Allah Almighty has blessed Pakistan with immense resources for which we should always be thankful [to God].”
“Today, we are sending a clear message that whoever obstructs Pakistan’s progress, we will collectively remove that obstacle.”
Speaking on the occasion, Gen Munir lauded the sacrifices of martyrs who laid down their lives in the line of duty and in the war against terrorism.
“We aspire to take Pakistan to the place that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned,” he stated. “Pakistan’s development journey is ongoing,” he said, adding that the question is not when Pakistan will develop—the question is how rapidly it will develop.
