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Pak minister vows to solve problems of expats

DUBAI — Pakistan's Federal Minister for Manpower, Labour and Overseas Pakistanis, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, yesterday promised to solve the housing, education and miscellaneous problems overseas Pakistanis face in their home country.

At a gathering organised at the Pakistan Sports and Recreation Centre, the minister addressed several issues raised by the community. "I am aware of these issues as they have earlier been raised by overseas Pakistanis (OPs) residing in Saudi Arabia," he said.

The minister said the role of OPs in strengthening Pakistan's economy could not be underestimated as they were contributing a lot to the foreign exchange. He also said he was conscious of the problems and said his ministry had taken up all matters relating to the education of their children, housing schemes and facilities to be given on the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation cards.

Shah said the government would also look into the inclusion of OPs in the voting process. "No one is taking away your right to vote but the logistics have to be sorted out. We are planning a facility for OPs to register their votes in their respective home constituencies through the embassies/consulates in the foreign countries," he said. He also promised smooth entry procedures for OPs upon their visits to Pakistan.

Earlier, president of the Pakistan Association Dubai Mohammed Riaz Farooq briefed the minister on the issues facing the community. He also announced that work on the long-awaited centre had begun with an available fund of Dh5 million though a total of Dh25 million was required to refurbish the centre.