Islamabad: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has described overseas Pakistanis as the country’s valuable capital and said that they are not only the ambassadors of Pakistan. But we also have a crown. He said that the services of overseas Pakistanis are unforgettable and the amount to be done for them is less.
Addressing the National Convention of Overseas Pakistanis held in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said that Pakistanis living all over the world have brought glory to Pakistan through their hard work and honesty, especially in Europe, America and the Gulf countries.
Measures for Overseas Pakistanis
The Prime Minister made a number of major announcements:
A 5% quota will be reserved in federal universities for the children of overseas Pakistanis.
3,000 children will be admitted to medical colleges.
A special scheme will be launched to teach modern skills to 5,000 children.
Age relaxation of 5 years will be given in government jobs.
He added that an online sale deed registration system has been introduced in Punjab and special offices have been set up to address the problems of overseas Pakistanis.
Mirpur International Airport
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that on the long-standing demand of overseas Pakistanis, an international airport will be established in Mirpur, for which orders have been issued.
Significant increase in remittances
The prime minister said that Pakistanis have sent more than $4 billion in remittances in recent months and hoped that this amount would exceed $38 billion next year, which would be more than our exports.
Civil Awards and the Restoration of the Green Channel
He announced that every year on August 14, overseas Pakistanis would be given civil awards for outstanding performance in their fields, while 15 best overseas Pakistanis would be nominated by the State Bank.
The prime minister said the green channel system, which was started during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, would be reactivated in the next few weeks.
National security and counter-terrorism
Describing Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir as a “true Pakistani and a great professional,” Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s defence is in safe hands and no one can dare to look at Pakistan with the naked eye.
Talking about terrorism, he said that terrorism had been eliminated by 2018, but due to wrong policies, terrorists are regrouping. The Prime Minister expressed concern over the resettlement of terrorists in Swat and other areas.
Condemning the violence in Gaza
The Prime Minister regretted the silence of the international community on the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and said that the ceasefire is being continuously violated.
We welcome your contributions to The Pakistan Observer. Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases and news features to our editorial team.
Please send your submissions to our News Desk or Editorial team. We look forward to hearing from writers, journalists and contributors.
