More than 2.5 million people from Malakand Division, particularly from Lower Dir, work in the Gulf countries and send billions of rupees in foreign exchange to Pakistan annually. However, unfortunately, due to the lack of medical centers, fingerprint offices, and other necessary facilities in Malakand Division, overseas workers are forced to travel to Peshawar, where they face severe difficulties, including financial losses, long queues, and humiliation. The government must urgently ensure the establishment of medical centers and fingerprint facilities at the divisional level in Malakand. These views were expressed during a press conference by Haji Saeed Gul, Patron-in-Chief of Overseas Lower Dir and former MPA; Haji Amir Zaman, President of Overseas Lower Dir; Engineer Kifayatullah, General Secretary; Haji Imtiaz Khan and Haji Shireen Zada, Vice Presidents; Ijaz Ahmed Sheikh, Information Secretary; and Qazi Inayat-ul-Haq.They emphasized that overseas Pakistanis are the backbone of the country’s economy, sending billions of rupees in remittances annually. They stated that their organization serves all overseas Pakistanis regardless of political affiliation. Their organization, with the cooperation and financial support of the Overseas Foundation, has repatriated the bodies of 16 individuals from Lower Dir who lost their lives in Saudi Arabia and provided financial assistance of Rs. 500,000 to each bereaved family.
They also demanded that the Timergara Passport Office issue urgent and regular passports on time, address staff shortages, and allow overseas travelers to bring mobile phones back home without any additional taxes.
