Chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Syed Qamar Raza, met with the Pakistani community at the Pakistan Social Centre Sharjah to discuss upcoming initiatives, including the next Overseas Pakistanis Convention. The interactive session, hosted by Centre President Khalid Hussain Chaudhry, drew a large turnout of expatriates, business council leaders, and officials.
Among the dignitaries present were H.E. Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, and Community Welfare Attachés Mr. Imran Shahid and Mr. Junaid Murtaza. The gathering provided a platform for overseas Pakistanis to share ideas and raise concerns directly with the OPF Chairman.
Opening the session, Mr. Chaudhry emphasized the importance of community engagement and praised OPF’s efforts in addressing diaspora challenges. Community leaders also congratulated Syed Qamar Raza on the success of the recent Overseas Pakistanis Convention held in Pakistan earlier this year.
During his address, Chairman Raza reaffirmed that overseas Pakistanis are vital to Pakistan’s progress. He noted that annual remittances exceeding USD 38 billion significantly bolster the national economy. He urged expatriates to continue using legal channels for remittances, aligning with government efforts to stabilize foreign reserves.
Highlighting new initiatives, Raza announced a comprehensive education plan for Pakistani students in the UAE. He also revealed that, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive, a 5% quota in educational institutions and 5,000 NAVTTC skill development seats have been reserved for children of overseas Pakistanis.
To address property disputes, the government has established dedicated special courts, a move welcomed by the community. Raza confirmed that the next Overseas Pakistanis Convention will be held in April 2026 in Pakistan, crediting the diaspora for its success.
These interactive sessions, he stressed, are crucial for understanding the real-time challenges faced by overseas Pakistanis and for shaping responsive policies. The event also touched on trending issues such as digital remittance platforms, vocational training, and diaspora investment opportunities—topics currently dominating global migration and economic news.
