ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) to expedite welfare initiatives and improve services for overseas Pakistanis, and described them as a valuable national asset and acknowledged their vital contribution to the country’s economy.
The prime minister issued the directives during a meeting with OPF Board of Governors Chairman Syed Qamar Raza and Managing Director Afzal Bhatti here, the Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the foundation’s ongoing efforts to address the problems faced by Pakistanis living abroad and to further enhance welfare and facilitation measures for them.
The prime minister said overseas Pakistanis are a precious asset of the nation and play a significant role in strengthening Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves by remitting their hard-earned income to the country.
He instructed the OPF to further accelerate the implementation of ongoing welfare projects and initiatives for expatriate Pakistanis and ensure greater efficiency in delivering services. Expressing satisfaction over the foundation’s performance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the OPF leadership to prepare and present a comprehensive plan for further improving its services and welfare programmes for overseas Pakistanis.
The meeting also included a briefing on a comprehensive roadmap aimed at introducing additional measures for the welfare and facilitation of overseas Pakistanis.
The OPF chairman and managing director paid tribute to the prime minister for Pakistan’s efforts in promoting global peace.
