Author: OPN
The U.S. Department of State has issued new directives stating that foreign nationals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes or obesity may be denied American visas or permanent residency (Green Cards). The guidelines, introduced under the Trump administration, have been circulated to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The move marks a significant shift in how health conditions are evaluated during immigration and visa processing. According to the new State Department guidelines, visa officers may now consider applicants’ cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, mental health, and metabolic conditions — including diabetes — as potential grounds for visa denial. The document states that…
The Italian government has announced that between 2026 and 2028, it will offer employment opportunities to more than 497,000 foreign workers across various sectors. According to an international news agency, the decision has been made under the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers (DPCM), which has already been published in the official gazette. The initiative, known as the Flow Decree, will allow citizens from non-European countries — including Pakistan — to legally secure employment in Italy. Official data shows that Italy plans to provide 164,850 job openings in 2026, 165,850 in 2027, and 166,850 in 2028. These…
The federal government has taken notice of recent incidents involving Pakistani workers being offloaded at airports despite possessing valid work visas and protector certificates. Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting to address the issue. Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Riffat Mukhtar, also attended the meeting and briefed the participants on the situation. During the meeting, the Federal Minister expressed concern over reports that several Pakistani workers were offloaded at different airports without valid justification. He emphasized that overseas Pakistanis play a vital role in supporting the country’s economy through foreign remittances…
A sudden enforcement of a new Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) rule has left hundreds of Pakistani workers unable to travel abroad for employment, triggering widespread frustration and delays at major airports. The rule, which has not yet been officially notified, requires travellers leaving the country for work to present an affidavit signed by a Grade 18 or 19 government officer before departure. The affidavit must affirm that the traveller intends to work legally in the destination country and will not attempt to enter Europe through illegal channels. The unexpected requirement has caused confusion and chaos at airports, particularly in Lahore,…
The government is finalising comprehensive reforms aimed at preventing the misuse of car import schemes intended for overseas Pakistanis. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan announced that the Ministry of Commerce is working on policy amendments to ensure that only genuine overseas Pakistanis benefit from these schemes, curbing commercial exploitation that has distorted the purpose of the facility. The development was discussed in a high-level meeting held at the Ministry of Commerce, co-chaired by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries, Haroon Akhtar Khan. The session reviewed regulatory frameworks governing used car imports, the…
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, arrived in Cairo where he was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Aamir Shouket, along with senior Egyptian officials at the Cairo International Airport. The visit marks an important step in strengthening Pakistan’s bilateral engagement with Egypt, particularly in the areas of culture, labor cooperation, and diaspora affairs. During his stay, the minister is scheduled to participate in the prestigious opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum — a landmark event that highlights Egypt’s rich historical and cultural legacy. The museum’s inauguration is expected to draw global attention,…
The government has increased the mandatory medical examination fee for Pakistanis seeking employment abroad, triggering concern among job promoters and overseas recruitment agencies. The revised fee, which must be paid by all applicants before traveling overseas for work, has seen a significant hike. According to the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), the medical fee has been raised from Rs15,000 to Rs26,000, putting an additional burden on thousands of job seekers. The association has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the government to reconsider the decision, which they say will directly affect low-income workers aspiring to find…
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have entered their thirteenth day, keeping all major border crossings closed and disrupting cross-border trade. Key routes in Chaman, Khyber, South and North Waziristan, and Kurram district remain sealed, leaving hundreds of cargo trucks stranded on both sides. According to customs officials, at Chaman’s Bab-e-Dosti gate, only vehicles carrying Afghan nationals are being permitted to cross into Afghanistan through Gate No. 4. Since the clashes began, around 10,000 Afghan citizens have been sent back, while nearly 1,200 empty containers have re-entered Pakistan. Officials say that debris from the affected trade routes and areas hit by…
Heidelberg, Germany(OPN) Waseem Butt, member of the Heidelberg City Council and head of Heidelberg in Bewegung (HiB/Volt), welcomed the first official delegation from the Government of Punjab, Pakistan, during their visit to Heidelberg. The delegation was led by Punjab’s Minister for Local Government, Zeeshan Rafiq. During the visit, discussions focused on potential collaboration in key areas such as waste management, citizen engagement, digitalization, and waste-to-energy initiatives. According to Waseem Butt, these are sectors in which the city of Heidelberg is internationally recognized as a successful model. He said the visit would play a vital role in strengthening friendship and building…