Senate Standing Committee Meeting Discusses Issues Faced by Pakistanis in the UAE and Iraq, Visa Restrictions by UAE
Overseas Pakistanis are a Valuable Asset to Pakistan, Contributing $32 Billion Annually, say Committee Members
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis meeting was held under Senator Zeeshan Khanzada’s chairmanship at the Parliament House. The committee discussed issues faced by Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iraq, as well as the matter of UAE’s visa restrictions on Pakistanis.
During the meeting, committee members were informed that irresponsible reporting in international media about the UAE issue had caused problems and made it difficult for the concerned authorities to address the matter effectively. Chairman Senator Zeeshan Khanzada stated that both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis had requested that the UAE issue be discussed in-camera. He added that the committee would decide whether to hold an in-camera session based on members’ consultations. The committee members supported this suggestion, agreeing that it was a matter of national importance, and they unanimously decided to discuss the issue in-camera.
Committee member Senator Zameer Hussain Ghamro pointed out that under the constitution, any citizen can send a public petition to the committee, emphasizing that this forum is for hearing public issues. On the matter of issues faced by overseas Pakistanis in Iraq, he mentioned that Pakistanis are being employed in Iraq for jobs with salaries ranging from $300 to $400. Senator Raja Nasser Abbas added that Pakistani citizens are subjected to abuse in Iraq, with their passports being seized upon arrival. The Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis briefed the committee, stating that some visitors do not return to collect their passports, leading to concerns over the dishonor of Pakistani passports.
In response, Senator Raja Nasser Abbas stated that this was a clear violation of the dignity of Pakistani passports and urged the relevant ministries to take necessary action. The committee then discussed this issue in detail. The Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis informed the committee that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should collaborate with the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to create a joint guideline to address the ongoing issues. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the committee that 40,000 to 50,000 Pakistanis are residing illegally in Iraq, while only 8,000 Pakistanis are working there legally. They also revealed that 44 Pakistani agents are imprisoned in Iraq for human trafficking offenses.
Officials from the Bureau of Immigration explained that legal workers in Iraq do not face significant issues, as they receive good salaries and benefits, while illegal workers face various problems. Chairman Senator Zeeshan Khanzada directed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to work with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve this issue.
The President of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Housing Society Association told the committee that 543 million rupees had been paid to IESCO (Islamabad Electric Supply Company) 10 years ago, but a separate grid station for the society had still not been constructed. The society lacks basic amenities such as a school, park, and electricity, and the matter has not been addressed on a priority basis. In response, the Managing Director (MD) of OPF informed the committee that 450 kanals of land in the OPF Housing Society has been embroiled in a dispute since 1992, and thus has not been included in the society’s development plans. Chairman Senator Zeeshan Khanzada emphasized that the issue of disputed land should be resolved promptly so that development and construction activities in the society could proceed.
The MD of OPF also informed the committee that due to the lack of facilities, the society has not seen significant population growth. Committee members remarked that overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset to Pakistan, sending $32 billion annually, and that improving facilities in the OPF Housing Society is essential for attracting residents. The committee members further noted that the OPF Housing Society is a government-backed project, and overseas Pakistanis trust that they will receive quality facilities, but the society is currently facing several challenges.
In response, the committee decided to invite officials from IESCO and SNGPL (Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited) to the next meeting to provide a detailed briefing on the matter. Chairman Senator Zeeshan Khanzada also directed that a detailed report be provided in the next meeting on how many plots were allotted to eligible individuals in the OPF Housing Society, as well as how many plots were allotted in violation of the rules and regulations.
The meeting was attended by Senators Zameer Hussain Ghamro, Raja Nasser Abbas, Gurdyap Singh, and Shahadat Awan, along with officials from the relevant government departments.