Govt to appoint new community welfare officers to address overseas Pakistanis’ issues: Kh Asif

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday said that the government will increase the number of community welfare officers in those foreign countries, where overseas Pakistanis were living in a large number to resolve their issues timely there.

Replying to a question in the National Assembly, the minister said that with the increase of these community welfare officers, the issues of overseas Pakistanis could be addressed in a better way.

He said that the government will make efforts for detained Pakistanis in Saudi Arab and Spain.

He said that the total number of Pakistanis imprisoned in the jails of Spain was 177 at present with the most

common charges were drug trafficking, financial fraud, robbery or theft.

He said that an officer and official of this Mission and Community Welfare Attach in Consulate General of Pakistan, Barcelona were especially deputed to give consular access to the Pakistani prisoners detained in different jails in Spain.

He said that as soon as Missions come to know from local authorities about any Pakistani prisoner, the team visits the jail and provides consular access. The Mission tries to ensure maximum facilitation to these Pakistanis, he added.