Author: OPN

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched an important initiative to facilitate overseas Pakistanis by helping them secure their mobile SIM cards and prevent suspension during extended stays abroad. The move aims to ensure uninterrupted telecom connectivity for Pakistanis living overseas, enabling them to remain connected with family, friends, and essential services in Pakistan. In a statement shared on social media, the PTA said overseas subscribers can safeguard their SIM cards for a specified period by informing their respective cellular companies and paying the applicable charges. The authority said the initiative allows overseas Pakistanis to retain ownership of their mobile…

Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Aun Chaudhry has announced that the government will organize a major Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad in April 2026. He shared the announcement while speaking exclusively to Overseas Pakistanis News, highlighting the government’s renewed focus on engaging the Pakistani diaspora. The minister said the convention will bring together overseas Pakistanis from across the world to provide them a platform to directly interact with key government stakeholders. He added that the event aims to address issues faced by overseas Pakistanis, improve service delivery, and strengthen trust between the diaspora and state…

JEDDAH: President Coordination Committee and Finance Secretary of Pakistan Investors Forum, Raja Muhammad Riaz, along with renowned educationist Professor Dr. Muhammad Moeenuddin, held an introductory meeting with Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah, Syed Mustafa Rabbani. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on issues faced by overseas Pakistanis, strengthening community linkages, and promoting investment opportunities in Pakistan. Raja Muhammad Riaz briefed the Consul General on the role and objectives of the Coordination Committee, highlighting its efforts to enhance coordination between overseas Pakistanis and relevant institutions. Consul General Syed Mustafa Rabbani appreciated the initiatives being taken for the welfare of…

A prominent Arab daily ‘Khaleej Times’ has termed the initiatives taken by the government of Pakistan for addressing the issues of overseas Pakistanis and creating job opportunities as crucial for improving the economy. In an article, the daily said the government of Pakistan introduced comprehensive reforms to address the issues of Pakistani expatriates, boost skills and create employment opportunities. It said creating employment opportunities abroad is also key to skill development and the country’s economic progress. Pakistan aims to create eight hundred thousand jobs in the United Arab Emirates and other countries this year, showing an increase of sixty thousand…

LONDON: A Pakistan-born cardiothoracic surgeon working in the United Kingdom has been named in the New Year Honours List and awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his professional excellence and humanitarian services. Professor Syed Saeed Ashraf, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, Wales, received the honour for his services to cardiac surgery, training of overseas surgeons, and academic contributions. The award was announced by the Swansea Bay University Health Board on New Year’s Eve. The health board described Professor Ashraf as an outstanding clinician who extends life-saving cardiac expertise to developing countries.…

The Directorate of Passports and Immigration has released its annual performance report for 2025, outlining wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving service delivery and modernizing passport issuance across the country. The report details administrative, technological, and infrastructural measures introduced during the year to address long-standing public concerns. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister, the Directorate installed modern passport printers, a step that permanently cleared the backlog of pending passports that had persisted for years. The report notes that this intervention significantly reduced waiting times and stabilized routine passport operations nationwide. A major reform highlighted in the…

The federal cabinet has approved a new visa clearance system as part of priority reforms in Pakistan’s visa and travel clearance framework. The decision aims to modernize visa processing and strengthen travel security amid rising concerns over illegal migration, fake travel documents, and stricter entry regulations imposed by several countries. According to the report, the new system is designed to make the visa process more transparent, secure, and efficient, particularly for Pakistani citizens traveling abroad. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed authorities to tighten scrutiny of travel documents and announced that an artificial intelligence-based screening system will be introduced from…

Jeddah: A high-level delegation of the Pakistan National Solidarity Forum (PNSF), Jeddah, paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah, Syed Mustafa Rabbani, at the Pakistan Consulate. The delegation briefed the Consul General on the forum’s aims, objectives, and activities being carried out for the Pakistani community in the Kingdom. The delegation was led by newly elected PNSF Convener Sardar Waqas Inayat and comprised representatives of various political, social, and welfare organizations. Key participants included Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Gujar of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Chaudhry Azhar Warraich of the Investors Forum, Chaudhry Tasawar Hussain Chaudhry…

Islamabad, December 24, 2025: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that the leadership, foresight, and principled struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah form the foundation of Pakistan and reflect its national identity. In his message on the birth anniversary of the founder of the nation, he stated that Quaid-e-Azam’s unwavering resolve and commitment to the Constitution and rule of law continue to provide clear guidance to the nation. The minister said the message of faith, unity, and discipline remains as relevant for national development and social harmony today as it was at the…

Washington appears taken aback as a major shift in US policy toward Pakistan emerges following unexpected remarks by former US President Donald Trump. According to a report published in the Washington Times and cited by AP News, Pakistan’s strategic importance for the United States has once again increased, marking a notable departure from previous policy approaches. The report states that in March, Trump unexpectedly praised Pakistan during a national address, a move that stirred debate within Washington’s policy circles. The remarks were seen as a clear signal of a changing tone in US foreign policy, prompting renewed discussion about Pakistan’s…