A parliamentary body on Tuesday expressed annoyance over the problems being faced by overseas Pakistanis in obtaining their National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), passport and other documents and asked departments concerned to devise an effective mechanism on immediate basis to end problems of overseas Pakistani.
Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman while chairing the meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis said overseas Pakistanis are the backbone of country as they are sending billions of dollars as foreign exchange to the country. "Overseas Pakistanis are supporting the country's economy but unfortunately when difficult time approaches, no one comes forward to support them," Rehman said.
He said this is need of hour to make sincere efforts to resolve their problems. Effective measures should be taken for arrangement of meeting between the Pakistanis languishing in foreign jail and their relatives, he said.
Rehman said Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis has taken effectives measures during the first 100 days and it would play a vital role in encouraging overseas' Pakistanis.
The committee discussed in detail the issue related to suspension of jail term of Zahir Shah, who was jailed in Saudi Arabia, and his release through paying blood money.
The committee observed that a number of Pakistanis are languishing in jails in foreign countries but Pakistani embassies are not providing them legal assistance.
Senator Samina Saeed and Mirza Muhammad Afridi stressed upon the need for bringing an appropriate solution of the issues being faced by Pakistanis jailed abroad.
The committee was informed that following the directives of Supreme Court, an inter-ministerial committee had been formed which held its last meeting in October 2017. In the same meeting, over Rs 400 million were approved for 121 cases but the fund approved by the committee has so far not been released, the committee was further informed.
The parliamentary body recommended to convene a meeting of inter-ministerial committee on immediate basis and review the case of Zahir Shah and many other in detail.
Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi said that a number of people like Zahir Shah are languishing in foreign jails but unfortunately government did not pursue their cases seriously.
The meeting was also attended by Senators Nighat Mirza, Shaheen Khalid Bhutt, Najma Hameed, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Sassui Palijo and Dr Shahzad Waseem and senior officials.
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