The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, on Tuesday, called for an effective mechanism for the protection of properties of Pakistanis working abroad with a strong system of countering illegal possession so that they could feel secure about the future of their families back home.
The Committee proposed timely resolution of complaints and proper legislation in all the four provinces regarding this matter. The Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari remarked that the government was in the process of developing a strong mechanism where the complaints would be processed in an effective complaint cell and taken up in special courts on fast-track. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman at the Parliament House.
The Committee was told that as a result of shutting down of number of companies, a total of 10356 Pakistanis were stuck abroad in an uncertain situation. Out of these, 6187 were repatriated after due process and OPF was in contact with them for their settlement in Pakistan, 3520 were re-employed in some other companies and the cases of 649 overseas Pakistanis were under consideration by the relevant authorities and companies. The Committee, while discussing the matter of capacity of OPF schools and fee structures for children of overseas Pakistanis, was told that at present 18,000 students were enrolled in these schools which included children of overseas Pakistanis as well as the children of families residing in Pakistan and the schools had a further capacity to accommodate 2400 students if any families were repatriated from Saudi Arabia due to tax crisis or from other countries. It was also told that the children of overseas Pakistanis already enjoyed a 50% concession in fee and further concession was not viable for the foundation.
Published in Daily Times, October 3rd 2018.
