How Does the Pakistani Government Provide Facilities to Overseas Pakistanis?
Pakistan is among the countries that have a large number of immigrants, about nine million Pakistanis living abroad. According to the data, Pakistan is the fifth largest recipient of remittances from overseas Pakistanis. In this year 2023, 27 billion dollars of remittances were sent home by Pakistanis living abroad. Undoubtedly, remittances are an important source of foreign exchange and keeping in mind this important effort of overseas Pakistanis, the Pakistani government is also engaged in formulating policies that can provide facilities to overseas Pakistanis:
Formulation Of Policies For The Convenience Of Overseas Pakistanis
Pakistan is among the countries that have a large number of immigrants, about nine million Pakistanis living abroad. According to the data, Pakistan is the fifth largest recipient of remittances from overseas Pakistanis. In this year 2023, 27 billion dollars of remittances were sent home by Pakistanis living abroad. Undoubtedly, remittances are an important source of foreign exchange and keeping in mind this important effort of overseas Pakistanis, the Pakistani government is also engaged in formulating policies that can provide facilities to overseas Pakistanis:
Health Justice Card
Under Sahat Insaf card, medical facilities will be provided to the overseas Pakistanis and their families who work abroad. It is a joint effort of Ministry of National Health Service and Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. The annual limit of this health card is 720000 under which these overseas Pakistanis can avail the benefits.
Assistance To Pakistanis In Prisons Abroad
The Pakistani government is also trying hard to release Pakistanis imprisoned in foreign jails and in this regard 1245 Pakistanis were released from Saudi Arabia, 1200 from UAE, 67 from Qatar, 55 from Oman, 18 from Kuwait. 17 have been liberated from Bahrain and 10 from Iraq.
Recovery Of Arrears Of Overseas Pakistanis
The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation is also instrumental in recovering arrears of expatriate Pakistanis abroad, including their salary and other benefits such as insurance money, gratuity, and gratuity. Various documents have to be submitted in this regard so that OPF can file a claim. Such as passport copy, CNIC copy, Iqama copy, insurance card, bank account details and details of legal heirs are included.
Overseas Pakistani Foundation
The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation has taken various initiatives for the expatriates living abroad and launched various services in this regard:
• Complaint Cell: In this cell, expatriates living abroad can register their complaints. These complaints are mostly related to jobs in the Gulf countries. Under the OPF Complaint Cell, complaints are received from various sources such as Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and HRD, Pakistani Mission Abroad and can also file complaints through post, email, fax.
• Establishment of One Window Facilitation Desk OWFDs: This facilitation desk has been established at all international airports. Assistance to senior citizens and linkages with various agencies and other measures to improve the flow of overseas Pakistanis.
• Ambulance Service: Under OPF, dead bodies of Pakistanis working overseas are transported to their residences. Although this responsibility rests with the employer, if he refuses to take this responsibility, the Pakistan Commission takes over and PIA performs the service without any payment as a result of OPF’s efforts.
• Sohni Dharti Remittance Program: An application has been created under this program under which points are awarded for each remittance of the remitter. These reward points are transferred to the Beneficiary. Through these rewards you can avail the following benefits:
o International air ticket and extra baggage charges
o Duty on imported mobiles and vehicles
o New CNIC fee
o Purchases made at utility stores
o Immigration registration fee
o Passport renewal fee
• Financial Aid Scheme: Financial aid is provided in case of death or disability of Overseas Pakistanis. In case of death 4 lakhs and in case of disability 3 lakhs is paid.
• Housing Scheme: Overseas Pakistani Foundation has allotted plots to Overseas Pakistanis in various cities of Pakistan under this scheme.
Apart from this, educational facilities are also being provided to the children of Overseas Pakistanis, including scholarships, establishment of educational institutions for the children of Overseas Pakistanis, higher quality education and other educational reforms for the children of Overseas Pakistanis.
