Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a comprehensive package aimed at benefiting overseas Pakistanis, focusing on education, employment, legal support, and recognition.
Key Highlights:
- Educational Quotas: A 5% quota in chartered universities (10,000 seats), 15% in medical colleges, and 5% in federal capital degree-awarding institutions have been allocated for children of overseas Pakistanis.
- Employment Benefits: Overseas job applicants will receive a five-year age relaxation for men and seven years for women in government employment.
- Legal Support: Special courts have been established in Islamabad for expatriates, with plans for similar courts in other provinces. The government is also introducing e-recording and e-filing facilities to facilitate legal proceedings for overseas Pakistanis.
- Financial Incentives: Overseas Pakistanis will be recognized as filers by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), offering relief in banking and business transaction taxes. Additionally, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) will provide 5,000 skill development courses to their children.
These measures are part of the government’s efforts to integrate the diaspora more effectively and address their concerns. A special convention was held to discuss these initiatives, with over 400 participants from various countries. Legislation is also underway to protect the land and property rights of overseas Pakistanis.