CM Punjab announces to hold monthly meetings with expatriates for consultations as Overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset of the country

LAHORE, December 24:A delegation of overseas Pakistanis led by Vice Chairperson Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab Syed Tariq Mahmood-ul-Hassan called on Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office. They commended the government reforms and thanked the CM for his keen interest in the solution of their problems. The CM also distributed medals and shields among expats, district overseas committees’ chairmen and the OPC staff.
The CM announced to hold monthly meetings with expatriates for consultations as overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset of the country. He pointed out that every expat is a voter as the PTI-led government has given them the right to vote which is their democratic right. Overseas Pakistanis commissions and counters have been set up in federal and provincial government departments to assist the Pakistanis living abroad, he added and informed the delegation that a facilitation desk was also working in the LDA. A NADRA counter was functional at OPC Punjab while tourism and passport office counters would also be established soon, he informed.
The CM explained that the OPC has retrieved expats assets valuing Rs. 44 billion in the province. The possession of 176 houses and plots in a private housing scheme with a market value of Rs 60 crores was also given to the expats, he noted. Alongside, the OPC’s web portal has been linked with LHC to dispose of their cases while the expats can also lodge their complaints online; he expressed and added that a 24/7 helpline was also set up to help resolve the difficulties of overseas Pakistanis.
The government has also set up district overseas Pakistanis committees across Punjab while resolving more than 11000 complaints in three years, he spoke. Meanwhile, a zero NOC policy was being introduced and an investors’ facilitation cell has been established at CM Office to acclimate the investors, added Usman Buzdar. You will get full protection and cooperation in the country as serving the expatriates was personal responsibility, maintained the CM. I will never be left behind in fulfilling this duty. The PTI government belongs to you, he concluded.-PR