Overseas Pakistani Global Foundation Urges Government to Address Expatriate Issues

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of Overseas Pakistani Global Foundation, Zaheer Akhtar Mehr, has urged the government to prioritize resolving issues faced by expatriates, restore the green channel, and grant overseas Pakistanis foreign investor status. He emphasized the need for a conducive environment for investment, removal of encroachments on private properties, and exemption from duties on second-hand mobile phones.

Mehr expressed these views during the “Meet the Press” program at the National Press Club Islamabad. He also announced a three-day convention from February 3 to 5, where participants will engage in briefings, sessions with institutions and ministries, and a meeting with the Prime Minister.

President of the National Press Club, Azhar Jatoi, welcomed the guests and acknowledged the significant contributions of overseas Pakistanis to the country’s economy. He proposed reserved seats for overseas Pakistanis in the National Assembly and a one-window operation to facilitate their needs.

Mehr highlighted the importance of creating an economic charter, similar to the Charter of Democracy, to ensure stability and consistency in economic decisions. He also emphasized the need for trained officials at airports to behave ethically and provide a smooth experience for overseas Pakistanis.

The Overseas Pakistani Global Foundation’s demands include:

– Priority Resolution of Expatriate Issues: Resolve problems faced by expatriates, including removal of encroachments on private properties and exemption from duties on second-hand mobile phones.
– Foreign Investor Status: Grant overseas Pakistanis foreign investor status to facilitate investment and economic growth.
– Conducive Investment Environment: Create a conducive environment for investment, including streamlined processes and incentives.
– Economic Charter: Establish an economic charter to ensure stability and consistency in economic decisions.
– Trained Airport Officials: Ensure that officials deployed at airports are trained to behave ethically and provide a smooth experience for overseas Pakistanis.

The foundation’s convention aims to bring together overseas Pakistanis, government officials, and institutions to discuss and resolve these issues.

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