Punjab government is providing all out facilities to overseas Pakistanis:Afzaal Bhatti

Lahore: Commissioner Overseas Commission Punjab Afzaal Bhatti has said that overseas Pakistanis are a major source of direct foreign investment regarding investment in Pakistan and Punjab government is providing all out facilities to overseas Pakistanis for this purpose.

He expressed these views while addressing a luncheon hosted by overseas Pakistanis at Kamoke, Gujranwala. Former federal minister Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan, MPA Rana Akhtar Ali Khan, Rana Liaqat Ali Khan, Haji Muhammad Nazir, Haji Muhammad Ijaz, Haji Muhammad Iqbal, Haji Muhammad Nawaz, Wakeel Ali Khan, Rana Shaukat Ali and a large number of overseas Pakistanis were present on the occasion.

Afzaal Bhatti said it is the desire of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif that problems of overseas Pakistanis could be resolved timely so that an environment of confidence could be promoted among them and protection of life and property of their families and near and dear ones will be ensured.

He said that overseas Pakistanis are the biggest stake-holders for Pakistan and Punjab government is redressing their grievances on priority basis so that they could make investment with open heart in Pakistan. In this way, job opportunities will be available to the people and their living standard will be raised, he added. He said that government is serious in resolving energy crisis so that overseas Pakistanis could make investment not only in Kamoke but throughout Punjab. Replying to a question, he said that overseas Pakistanis have right of vote and they will be provided facility of casting vote in Pakistan from abroad.

Afzaal Bhatti further said that difficulties being faced by overseas Pakistanis in NADRA and passport are being removed and besides increasing the facility of issuing NADRA cards, they are being made online. Replying to another question, he said that the complaint of overseas Pakistanis are very old and present government is serious to resolve their problems. He said that commission has been set up for their welfare and committees are being constituted in the districts and formal legislation has been made in this regard.