By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveiled incentives for overseas Pakistanis on Tuesday, including special courts, tax breaks, job quotas, and skill training, acknowledging their economic contributions.
Speaking to over 1,200 expatriates at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, Sharif announced a forthcoming “green channel” to simplify immigration and customs for the diaspora.
He emphasized the significance of the 10 million-strong overseas community, describing them as “the pride of the nation.”
The government will establish special courts, starting in Islamabad, to expedite legal cases for expatriates, with video-link evidence recording at missions abroad and e-filing options. Tax relief includes automatic filer status with the Federal Board of Revenue, easing banking and business transactions.
Sharif detailed benefits for expatriates’ families: a 5 percent quota in chartered universities and federal institutes, a 15 percent quota in medical colleges, and 5,000 skill development courses via the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission. Job applicants will receive a five-year age relaxation for men and seven years for women in government roles.
Special facilitation offices are operational in Punjab and Balochistan, with expansion planned.
Sharif also highlighted Punjab’s digital reforms, such as online sales deed registration, set for a pilot at the Pakistani High Commission in London.
Noting record remittances of $4.1 billion in March, Sharif projected annual remittances exceeding $38 billion, outpacing exports. Top remitters will receive civil awards annually on August 14.
Condemning social media attacks on the military, Sharif reiterated support for Kashmir and Gaza.
Army Chief General Asim Munir praised the diaspora’s dedication, calling it a “brain gain” and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
“Those who promote the narrative of brain drain should know that this is not a brain drain but a brain gain, and the overseas Pakistanis are the finest example of that,” General Munir said.
“Do Pakistan’s enemies think that a handful of terrorists can decide the fate of Pakistan?” he said, adding that “even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan and Pakistan”.
“As long as the brave people of this country stand with the Pakistan Armed Forces, your army can easily face every difficulty… Today we are giving this clear message together that whatever stands in the way of Pakistan’s progress, we will remove that obstacle together.”
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