Who are overseas Pakistanis?
Overseas Pakistanis are those who are living outside of Pakistan. It refers to all categories of Pakistanis who are living in some foreign land. They are living there for the sake of a job, settlement, or for study purposes. According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, approximately 9 million Pakistanis live abroad according to December 2017 estimates. Among the over 4.7 million, residing in the Middle East. And the second-largest community, at around 1.2 million, lives in the United Kingdom. And many are living in other countries. Moreover, according to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Pakistan has the 6th largest diaspora in the world.
Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis
The government of Pakistan established a ministry for Overseas Pakistanis in 2013. Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi is the current minister. The minister is responsible for the assistance and welfare of the Overseas Pakistanis. Whereas Imran Khan initiated Roshan Apna Ghar and Roshan Digital Account that is a game-changer and can bring a lot of money to Pakistan. This will benefit both overseas and inside Pakistanis.
How are they assets?
This country equally belongs to them as well so they have the rights and contributions as well. They used to send money to Pakistan to their people. As the dollar’s influx into a country can overcome the gap between imports and export. Secondly, this influx of dollars can eliminate the account deficit. They are the assets when they would be provided with opportunities like that of investment. Their investment would definitely boost the economic progression of Pakistan. All the overseas Pakistanis are interested to build assets in their country but they are not facilitated properly. Yet they have been sending remittances to Pakistan to their families. As the State Bank of Pakistan revealed that overseas Pakistanis have sent remittances of about Rs2137 billion (US$13 billion) to Pakistan. This is a huge amount.
Moreover, there are many competent Pakistanis who are working in a foreign land just because this country fails to provide opportunity. However, by creating opportunities we can bring them and can take benefits from them. Besides, the professional people majority of our labor power is outside to support their families. And they are the people who are adding to our economic growth. So their rights must be protected and secured.
A good number of students are there for the purpose of higher studies. They come back to this country and can contribute educationally, economically, and professionally. Such people are the power generator.
