A meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of Pakistan on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development is currently in progress, chaired by Agha Rafiullah.
The committee received a detailed briefing on issues faced by overseas Pakistanis, particularly those related to the issuance of driving licenses and identity documentation. During the discussion, the chairman highlighted concerns about the criminal record verification process, noting that records are often checked only in a person’s province of origin. He emphasized that if someone originally belongs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but has lived for years in Karachi, verification should cover all provinces.
Committee members proposed that criminal background checks be conducted nationwide to prevent documentation loopholes.
The committee also sought clarity on administrative responsibilities for overseas operations, questioning whether Pakistani ambassadors in host countries bear full responsibility for field operations. Officials informed members that funds are routed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan), while operational coordination involves the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.
Members stressed the need for clear accountability and transparent procedures to facilitate overseas Pakistanis.
