Overseas sent remittances of $7.811b during 2008-09: ICCI
By Asad Cheema
ISLAMABADOverseas Pakistanis are the backbone of our economy as they are contributing significantly to the economic growth by sending in large amounts of remittances and government is taking all possible measures to resolve their problems on priority. This was said by Ms. Neelam Ali, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis while addressing a seminar on Migration and Wealth of Nation which was organized by the Economic Freedom Network Pakistan in collaboration with Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI).
She said government is fully alive to the positive role of overseas Pakistanis and has undertaken many initiatives for their welfare which include providing them better services at airports, setting up suitable schemes in education, health care, housing sectors for them as well as providing them rehabilitation support on their return.
She said community security attaches have been appointed in Pakistani foreign missions to provide necessary support to expatriate Pakistanis so that they could play more effective role in the development of national economy. She asked business community to support government towards building Pakistan as a strong, credible and transparent country on the map of the world.
Mr. Rene Klaff, Regional Director, South Asia, FNF in his address said that more Pakistanis are leaving the country as compared to other nationals coming to Pakistan which shows that Pakistan could not provide better career prospects to majority of its citizens.
Yeah ... F Neelam !
It is an absolute disgust to go back home, and go through Pakistan Customs and Immigration, not to mention the security officers.
I have seen them literally steal packets of dates from poor worker's luggage !
I have been subjected to discrimination because minister's son had to go first ( i made enough noise , not to let that happen )
Every second person is robbed 300 - 700 Rs, by the airport staff for one thing or another ....
Heck, just look at the faces of those custom people .... they are just criminals !
Overseas Pakistanis have 50+ Billion Dollars , just imagine if all of that money comes in as Investment in Industrial sector.
There would be a revolution in Pakistan and i guess all we need is to have a Safer prosper Pakistan which would provide friendly environment to Investors who are investing in their own backyard.
But till mr 10% is in office it is not going to happen as he cannot be trusted.
It is not a matter of trust, We will bring our money back if there is some thing to put it into.
As of now, the only thing we invest in is Property ... but that too is loosing value.
There should be maximum effort to stop politicians stealing this money and putting it back in Europe's banks.
There should be more effort to encourage Pakistani companies to keep their money in Pakistan, not in Dubai or virgin islands.
Just motivating Ex-Pakistans to do better jobs and sent more.
You might have considered that there are about 100 times more Indians than Pakistanis.
Consider that, and actually we are doing a better job than others.
