ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a far-reaching welfare package aimed at addressing legal grievances, offering educational and employment incentives, and facilitating investment for overseas Pakistanis in a significant move to strengthen ties with the global Pakistani diaspora.

The announcement came during the inaugural two-day Overseas Pakistanis Convention, attended by over 1,200 expatriates from around the world.

Terming overseas Pakistanis as the “pride of the nation,” the prime minister acknowledged their vital role in national development, particularly through remittances and community engagement. With over 10 million Pakistanis living abroad, the government’s latest outreach is being seen as a strategic shift toward institutionalizing support mechanisms for the diaspora.

Among the headline measures was the establishment of a Special Court for Overseas Pakistanis, already operational in Islamabad, with plans to expand it to all provinces. The premier also directed NADRA to expedite the rollout of e-recording and e-filing systems, enabling expatriates to present evidence remotely via video link—a long-standing demand of the community.

In a nod to the next generation of overseas Pakistanis, the government introduced quotas in higher education institutions: 5% in all chartered universities, 5% in Islamabad’s degree-awarding institutions, and 15% in medical colleges. Additionally, the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) will offer 5,000 skill development scholarships to the children of expatriates.

Tax reforms were also part of the package, as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will now classify overseas Pakistanis as filers, offering relief in banking and business transaction taxes. Further employment facilitation includes five-year age relaxation for men and seven-year relaxation for women seeking public sector jobs.

To resolve property-related issues, facilitation desks have been set up in Punjab and Balochistan, with plans to expand to KP, Sindh, and AJK. Shehbaz Sharif also praised Punjab’s digital reforms and announced that the online sale deed registration system would be piloted at Pakistan’s High Commission in London before being rolled out globally.

Highlighting the economic contributions of the diaspora, the prime minister noted that March 2025 saw a record $4.1 billion in remittances, with annual figures projected to exceed $38 billion—surpassing the country’s total exports.

In a symbolic gesture, the premier announced that outstanding expatriates will be honored with civil awards every year on August 14, with nominations to be routed through Pakistan’s diplomatic missions and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF).

Reviving a key facilitation measure, the Green Channel at airports—originally introduced by former PM Nawaz Sharif—will be reinstated within a week to ease travel procedures for returning citizens.

In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the leadership of COAS General Syed Asim Munir, describing him as a “man of words and unmatched capability.” He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support for the armed forces and condemned rising social media disinformation campaigns targeting the military.

On the foreign policy front, the premier reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with Kashmir and Gaza, strongly condemning Israeli aggression and the loss of over 50,000 Palestinian lives.

Turning his attention to the economy, Shehbaz Sharif criticized the previous administration for violating the IMF agreement, asserting that the incumbent coalition government had worked to restore fiscal stability. “I will personally oversee diaspora investments in Pakistan. Consider me your CEO,” he declared, signaling a hands-on approach to facilitating overseas contributions.

Chairman OPF Syed Qamar Raza confirmed the formation of a high-powered committee under Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to address 14 critical demands raised by expatriates. He also announced that the Overseas Pakistanis Convention would become an annual event, held every April, and credited the support of General Asim Munir in organizing this year’s gathering.

The convention marked a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s engagement with its diaspora, reflecting a new policy thrust to integrate overseas Pakistanis more directly into the national economic and social mainstream.