Author: OPN
Managing Director Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Muhammad Afzal Bhatti has stated that OPF is working as a frontline institution in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to ensure the swift resolution of issues faced by overseas Pakistanis, implementation of welfare initiatives, and protection of their rights. He said OPF would represent overseas Pakistanis without any pressure, favoritism, or political influence. He said overseas Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world are the bright face of Pakistan and play a vital role in the country’s image and economy. He added that anyone who undermines the trust of…
A delegation led by Ms. Sumaira, President of the Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WCCI) Sargodha, held a meeting with Syed Qamar Raza, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Overseas Pakistani Foundation (OPF), at his office in Islamabad. The discussion centered on identifying potential avenues for investment by overseas Pakistanis and local investors. During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the role of women entrepreneurs in economic development and emphasized the need for stronger institutional support to facilitate business growth and cross-border investment. Matters related to improving coordination between business forums and OPF were also discussed. Ms. Naheed Mehdi, a…
A high-level meeting between Kashmiri leadership and British parliamentarians was held at the British Parliament to discuss the future parliamentary strategy on the Kashmir issue and to further strengthen awareness campaigns across the United Kingdom. The consultation focused on highlighting the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and ensuring that the voice of the Kashmiri people continues to be effectively raised in British political forums. Founder Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Self-Determination Movement International and prominent global Kashmiri leader Raja Najabat Hussain, Sitara-e-Pakistan, met with Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Kashmir and Member of…
The Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab marked Christmas with a simple and dignified ceremony held at its office in Lahore. Vice Chairman Barrister Amjad Malik and Commissioner OPC Punjab Ms. Saman Rai participated in the event along with officers and staff, where a Christmas cake was cut to commemorate the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Barrister Amjad Malik extended Christmas greetings to the Christian community and stated that all religions are accorded equal respect in Pakistan. He said that interfaith harmony plays a vital role in national unity and progress. He emphasized that mutual respect and coexistence among different faiths…
he Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis briefed the committee on the government’s decision to establish 10 new Community Welfare Attaché (CWA) posts abroad. The initiative is aimed at strengthening support mechanisms for Pakistani workers overseas. The new posts will be established in Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, China, Australia, Norway, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Officials said the CWAs would focus on labor welfare, dispute resolution, and facilitation of employment opportunities. The ministry informed lawmakers that the new posts would help protect Pakistani workers’ rights and address grievances more efficiently, particularly in countries with large Pakistani diasporas. During the…
FIA officials told the NA Overseas committee that immigration procedures have been significantly tightened to prevent illegal travel and misuse of visas. This includes stricter scrutiny of visit, Umrah, and work visa categories. The DG FIA said many offloaded passengers lacked complete information about their courses, universities, or employment, while several cases involved incomplete or false data provided through agents. He added that 226 cases have been registered so far this year. The committee was informed that 450 individuals were arrested in the last three months while attempting to cross into Iran illegally, and Bangladeshi nationals were also caught trying…
The National Assembly Overseas committee was briefed on employment prospects for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, which includes over one trillion dollars worth of mega projects. These projects are expected to generate large-scale demand for skilled labor. Officials highlighted key projects such as NEOM City, Jeddah Central, Red Sea Global, King Salman Energy Park, Jeddah Tower, Riyadh Expo 2030, and FIFA World Cup 2034. Expansion projects at King Abdulaziz International Airport and the Red Sea Hub were also cited. It was stated that only skilled workers would be eligible for employment in Saudi Arabia, as global demand is…
The Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis was informed that a new digital immigration application will be launched by mid-January to streamline travel clearance for overseas-bound Pakistanis. The initiative aims to reduce delays and improve transparency at airports. According to the briefing, the application will allow travelers to obtain immigration clearance up to 24 hours before departure. Officials said this step would help passengers identify deficiencies in documentation before reaching airports. The DG FIA told the committee that immigration systems at major airports have been integrated with NADRA and IDMS-2, supported by online data verification. Cameras have been installed at immigration…
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis met in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Agha Rafiullah, where the issue of offloading Pakistani passengers at airports came under detailed discussion. Officials briefed the committee on trends, enforcement mechanisms, and challenges faced by immigration authorities. The Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the committee that 51,000 people were offloaded during the current year. He disclosed that deportations were largely linked to begging and misuse of visas, with Saudi Arabia deporting 24,000 Pakistanis, Dubai 6,000, and Azerbaijan 2,500 on charges of begging. The DG FIA said several passengers attempted…
Managing Director of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Muhammad Afzal Bhatti has stated that individuals whose visa protector process has been completed will not be offloaded from any airport in Pakistan. He said OPF remains committed to safeguarding the rights of overseas Pakistanis and ensuring maximum facilitation for them. Addressing a large gathering in Riyadh, Muhammad Afzal Bhatti said the government is focusing on the protection of overseas Pakistanis’ rights and has taken steps to improve facilities for them. He added that overseas Pakistanis are considered an important asset for the country and that concrete measures are being implemented to…