Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced multiple measures for the facilitation of the overseas Pakistanis, including the revival of the Green Channel.
According to Radio Pakistan, addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, the Prime Minister stated that the Green Channel will be operationalized in the next couple of weeks. He also announced the establishment of special courts in Islamabad for the speedy disposal of cases concerning overseas Pakistanis. The process of setting up similar courts in Punjab is ongoing, while other provinces will also be requested to follow suit.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the facility of e-recording of evidence via video link in Pakistan’s missions abroad will be available. E-filing of cases will also be possible. An amendment to change the civil court procedure to prevent fictitious litigation against overseas Pakistanis will be introduced immediately, allowing defendants the right to defend if permitted by the court.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister announced a five percent quota for the children of overseas Pakistanis in all federal chartered universities and degree-awarding institutions. A 15 percent quota will be reserved in medical colleges, benefitting 3,000 children of overseas Pakistanis. Additionally, 5,000 children of expatriates will be offered skill development courses.
The Federal Board of Revenue has been directed to treat overseas Pakistanis as filers in business activities and banking matters. A special office has been established in Balochistan and Punjab for their facilitation, with plans to extend this facility to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. The exemption in the upper age limit for overseas Pakistani women for government jobs has been increased from five to seven years.
A system for the registration of online sale deeds, modeled on the system in Punjab, will soon be established at Pakistan’s High Commission in London and replicated in other foreign missions. In response to longstanding demands, the Prime Minister also announced the establishment of an international airport in Mirpur, with feasibility studies underway. Additionally, fifteen outstanding Pakistani expatriates will be conferred civil awards annually on August 14 in recognition of their contributions.
A desk has been established at the Federal Ombudsman Office, where overseas Pakistanis can lodge complaints via email and WhatsApp. Acknowledging the immense contribution of overseas Pakistanis towards the country’s economic stability, the Prime Minister urged them to counter negative propaganda against the armed forces, highlighting their sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He also instructed envoys and diplomats to respect overseas Pakistanis, treat them politely, and facilitate the resolution of their issues.