Latest news with #OverseasPakistanis
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan govt begins cancelling passports of deportees
Pakistan's government has initiated cancelling the passports of deportees due to fake documents and beggary to discourage such practices. Data released by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development showed that over 7,800 Pakistanis were deported from 2019 to 2025 for different charges, including beggary. All of these deportees' passports are being cancelled, the Pakistani media reported. Most of these deportees are from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which house a higher number of South Asian diaspora. As reported by Khaleej Times last month, the South Asian government stated that all deportees' passports will be cancelled upon arrival in the country and a first information report (FIR) will be filed against them for illegal practices. In addition, the government also announced that the deportees will be placed on the passport control list, ensuring that they don't travel abroad for five years. The Ministry of Interior has started placing these deportees' names on the passport control list to ensure that they don't travel abroad. The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources earlier this week discussed the matter of deportees and discussed steps taken to prevent such incidents. Millions of skilled Pakistani workers are employed in various countries, contributing immensely to the country's foreign exchange reserves. More than 5.5 million Pakistanis live and work in the UAE and other neighbouring Gulf countries. Millions of South Asian nationals visit Dubai, UAE and other regional countries for tourism. Pakistanis in the UAE have welcomed the government's decision to cancel the passports of deportees and put them on the passport control list for illegal practices because these initiatives will ease travel and visa restrictions for genuine visitors. The Senate Standing Committee recommended that the ministry initiate criminal proceedings against agencies for their involvement in sending deportees abroad. However, the question of legality of cancelling passports for crimes committed in foreign countries was also raised by a senator during the meeting.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Over 58,000 Pakistanis deported from various states since 2023
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel was informed on Tuesday that more than 58,000 Pakistanis have been deported from various countries since 2023, with a significant number facing repatriation on charges related to beggary and immigration violations. Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, the Interior Ministry officials revealed that 5,600 deportees were expelled specifically for beggary from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. The committee, chaired by Zeeshan Khanzada, reviewed data submitted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad. According to the Director General of Passports and Immigration, Mustafa Jamal Kazi, many Pakistani citizens had overstayed their visas while travelling for religious pilgrimages to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. Kazi disclosed that around 34,000 Pakistanis were deported from Iran last year, while nearly 50,000 were sent back from Iraq. He also pointed to a growing trend of asylum seekers, with approximately 125,000 Pakistanis applying for asylum in European countries during the last one year. The committee raised concerns over the increase in deportations due to fake documentation and beggary, noting that such incidents have damaged Pakistan's international image and strained relations with brotherly countries in the Gulf and Middle East. Interior Ministry officials confirmed that the names of deportees have been placed on the Passport Control List (PCL), and in some cases, their passports have been cancelled in an effort to curb this trend. However, Senator Shahadat Awan, a member of the committee, objected, arguing that cancelling passports for offences committed outside Pakistan's jurisdiction may not be legally justified. The committee further inquired about the Interior Ministry's action against Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) suspected of facilitating illegal or exploitative migration. Officials revealed that 1,460 deportees had travelled through 691 OEPs. Show-cause notices have been issued to those implicated, and the panel has recommended initiating criminal proceedings against the promoters involved in sending individuals abroad for beggary or with falsified documents. Zamir Hussain Ghumro, another member of the panel, questioned what steps the ministry has taken to prevent such crimes, which he said have brought shame to the country. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development informed the committee that 7,873 Pakistanis were deported between 2019 and 2025, with 1,064 of those cases linked to beggary. The panel has also sought a breakdown of 5,000 deportees who travelled on work permits or visit visas to evaluate the involvement of employment agents. In a separate briefing, the managing director of the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) presented updates on economic diplomacy initiatives aimed at promoting the export of skilled labour. He said that approximately 10.3 million skilled Pakistani workers are currently employed overseas. The OEC has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with 18 countries, with an additional 15 under negotiation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
135,000 Pakistanis sought asylum in Europe, US in two years
Listen to article As many as 135,000 Pakistanis have applied for political asylum in Europe and the United States over the past two years, a Senate committee was informed on Tuesday. The figure includes 125,000 asylum applications in different European countries and more than 10,000 in the US. The startling revelations were shared by the director general of Passports during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis which was chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada. The DG informed lawmakers that more than 52,000 Pakistanis have been deported over the past two years. Iran alone deported 34,000 Pakistani nationals attempting to enter the country illegally, while Saudi Arabia deported 5,000 Pakistani citizens involved in begging. Saudi Arabia has also reduced its work visa quota for Pakistanis and tightened the criteria for visa issuance. Meanwhile, several countries, including the UAE, Italy, the UK, and other European nations, have suspended student visa programs for Pakistani applicants. Officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis confirmed these developments, adding that some countries are bypassing legal proceedings by repatriating Pakistanis immediately under provisions of the Passport Act, rather than jailing them. The DG also disclosed that the passports of deported Pakistanis have been blocked, and those found involved in criminal activities abroad are facing strict legal consequences. Despite these setbacks, the officials said that over 10.3 million skilled and professional Pakistanis continue to work overseas, contributing to the country's economy through remittances.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
CM vows to resolve issues facing overseas Pakistanis
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif met MD Overseas Pakistanis Foundation Afzal Bhatti, here on Monday and directed all government departments as well as district administration to take steps to resolve the issues of overseas Pakistanis as soon as possible. During the meeting, it was decided to appoint focal persons for the overseas Pakistanis in the Chief Minister's Office, Chief Secretary's Office and IG's Office. The focal persons of the Punjab government will play their effective and vibrant role in resolving the issues and problems pertaining to the overseas Pakistanis. On this occasion, it was agreed to take prompt measures to make the Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab active and dynamic. The Chief Minister directed to resolve the issues of overseas Pakistanis on a priority basis. MD Overseas Pakistanis Foundation Afzaal Bhatti gave a detailed briefing about the issues and matters of overseas Pakistanis belonging to Punjab. He also apprised the CM about the issues of OPF housing societies and schools. The Chief Minister directed to resolve the problems of Overseas Pakistanis without any delay. She outlined that the current government is taking all possible steps to resolve the problems of Overseas Pakistanis at the earliest. She said that overseas Pakistanis are the valuable asset of our dear homeland. MD Overseas Pakistanis Foundation congratulated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on the success of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. He emphasized that all Overseas Pakistanis stand shoulder to shoulder with the government and the Pakistan Army. He highlighted that the overseas Pakistanis celebrated the glorious victory in the war against India across the globe. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister briefed on EOBI performance during 3 Quarters of FY2024-25
LAHORE: The Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain was briefed about EOBI performance during 3 Quarters of FY2024-25. During the briefing, the minister was apprised that following the retirement of chairman EOBI, Khaqan Murtaza in September 2024, the acting charge of the chairman was entrusted to the senior-most officer of EOBI, Dr Jawaid A Sheikh, who successfully steered the institution towards enhanced service delivery and performance. Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain consistently monitors EOBI's performance and receives weekly reports from its management. His emphasis on transparency and meritocracy has yielded remarkable results. The institution recorded a historic revenue of Rs 116 billion during the first three quarters of FY2024-25, reflecting an unprecedented 40% growth. After disbursing pensions and covering operational expenses, EOBI successfully added Rs 72.23 billion to its fund within just nine months, the Minister was briefed. The incumbent chairman introduced significant reforms, including the implementation of the 'Formula Pension,' resulting in higher pensions for long-serving workers. He also championed the restoration of minimum pensions for retirees of establishments entangled in legal disputes over contribution rates. Under his leadership, high-level Board meetings were conducted, leading to the Board of Trustees' (BOT) approval of a proposal to increase the minimum pension by 15% effective from January 1, 2025. This landmark decision is now awaiting final approval from the Federal Cabinet and is set to benefit approximately half a million pensioners, with an estimated annual financial impact of Rs 10 billion. Facing a severe shortage of human resources - operating at only 38% of its sanctioned strength - EOBI's service delivery was being hampered. Recognizing this, the current management expedited the recruitment process of candidates selected through a rigorous testing process conducted by LUMS. With the conclusion of the induction phase, the new officers are expected to join the institution shortly, further strengthening its operational capacity. Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain expressed satisfaction over EOBI's extraordinary performance and reiterated his commitment to transforming the organization into a self-sustained, transparent, and high-performing institution. He directed the management to expand the coverage of EOBI's social protection schemes, particularly by advocating for amendments in the law to include establishments with fewer than 10 employees that is for universal coverage and sectors currently exempted under the EOB Act, such as agriculture, financial institutions, domestic workers and statutory bodies. It is worth mentioning that EOBI, a key social protection organization operating under the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, continues to serve the working class of Pakistan by providing Old-Age Pensions, Survivor Pensions, Invalidity Pensions, and Old-Age Grants. The recent developments at EOBI mark a new era of reforms, resilience, and service excellence, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the future of Pakistan's workforce. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
