Commissioner Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab, Afzaal Bhatti has said that overseas Pakistanis of Middle East and Europe have different problems and overseas Pakistanis organizations can play an important role in highlighting the issues of expatriate Pakistanis.
He expressed these views during meeting with a delegation of overseas Pakistanis. He said that present government has taken positive measures for overseas Pakistanis including green channel, transfer of funds without any hindrance and bringing dead bodies free of cost through PIA to Pakistan. He said that Punjab government has set up overseas Pakistanis commission for resolving the problems of overseas Pakistanis pertaining to Punjab so that their complaints should be resolved within time frame.
Afzaal Bhatti said that overseas commission has been established after formal legislation and its scope has been expanded to all districts of Punjab. He told that about 300 complaints have been registered by Pakistanis living abroad through internet and by mail, out of which, 118 complaints have been resolved within time frame and to complainants informed through internet and phone.
Commissioner Overseas said that problems of Pakistanis belonging to Europe and Middle East are different. The problems of Pakistanis living in European countries are regarding property while those of living in Middle East pertain to immigration and labour. He said that overseas Pakistanis organizations in different countries can play an important role in highlighting their problems and overseas Pakistanis commission is implementing a policy of effective contact to all overseas Pakistani organizations so that steps should be taken for maximum awareness of problems about overseas and their resolutions.
Afzaal Bhatti said that a framework is being evolved with the cooperation of Federal Ministry of Overseas and Interior Ministry to resolve problems of overseas Pakistanis immediately which will result in further improving the redressal of complaints. He told that Interior Ministry has set up a taskforce in this regard which will comprise representatives of electricity, gas, passport and NADRA so that immediate action could be taken against the complaints received. He said that overseas Pakistanis can also register their complaints at the website of OPC www.opc.punjab.gov.pk.
