Author: OPN
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…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of reports regarding passengers being offloaded from international flights despite holding valid travel documents and visas. A high-level committee has been constituted to investigate the matter and review existing procedures related to overseas travel. The committee is headed by Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik and includes Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Muhammad Awn Chaudhry. Senior officials, including the heads of the Pakistan Digital Authority and the National Information Technology Board, along with the secretaries of Overseas Pakistanis and IT and the…
On the 11th anniversary of the tragic Army Public School (APS) Peshawar attack, solemn tributes were paid across the country to the innocent children and devoted teachers who lost their lives in one of Pakistan’s darkest days. Remembering the tragedy, Chairman Board of Governors Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Syed Qamar Raza, said the nation bows its head in solemn remembrance of the martyrs whose lives were brutally taken. He stated that the immense sacrifice of the APS Peshawar victims strengthened the collective resolve of the nation to stand firm against terrorism and extremism in all its forms. Syed Qamar Raza emphasized…
A major Overseas Pakistanis convention was organized in Portugal by Hope of Overseas Pakistanis, drawing a large turnout from the Pakistani community across Portugal and other European countries. The event featured prominent guests, including the Chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Syed Qamar Raza Shah, and the Pakistani Ambassador to Portugal, Ayesha Farooqi. Key organizers included OPWC Chairman Naeem Naqshbandi, Zahid Mughal, and Advisor to the Chairman of Hope of Overseas Pakistanis, Chaudhry Mehdi Ranjha. Senior Vice President Chaudhry Imtiaz Ahmed, Chief Organizer of Hope of Overseas Pakistanis Europe Chaudhry Iftikhar Tarar, and representatives from Italy and Spain, including…
Islamabad: Hundreds of passengers traveling from Saudi Arabia to Islamabad faced serious inconvenience after their luggage went missing upon arrival at Islamabad International Airport. The incident caused chaos and frustration among travelers, many of whom were returning home after long journeys. According to affected passengers, nearly 100 travelers onboard Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-246 from Dammam were unable to receive their checked baggage. Despite completing immigration and other formalities, passengers were left waiting at the baggage claim area with no luggage arriving on the conveyor belts. A large number of passengers were forced to remain at the airport for…