Pakistan Business Professional Council Abu Dhabi delegation to the First Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad

Islamabad(News Desk)::The Pakistan Business Professional Council (PBPC) Abu Dhabi attended the First Overseas Pakistanis Convention held in Islamabad from 13-15 April 2025. This landmark event celebrates the invaluable contributions of overseas Pakistanis to the nation’s economy and development. ThePBPC Abu Dhabi delegates from Dr. Qaiser Anis,  Honorary Vice Chairman & Founding President, Dr. A. Hadi Shahid, Founding Member, and Dr.Muhammad Farhan, PBPC VP Membership, together with the Pakistan Business Council Dubai delegates headed by Mr. Shabbir Merchant, PBC President, Mr. Hans Munir, leading businessman from Dubai and Mr, Syed Saleem Akhtar, 1st Vice Chairman Pakistan Business Council Sharjah.

The convention, organized by the Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), aims to provide a platform for dialogue between overseas Pakistanis, government representatives, and national institutions. Attended by more than 500 to 600 overseas Pakistanis from different countries, including 8 Ambassadors posted abroad. Overseas Pakistanis  are the backbone of Pakistan.

The event includes formal dinners hosted by the Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, and Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. On the first day of the convention, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Chairman Syed Qamar Raza welcomed overseas Pakistanis attending the convention. Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, expressed gratitude for the overseas Pakistanis’ unwavering support, highlighting their contributions through remittances and investments. As Overseas Pakistanis are the backbone of Pakistan. The convention is expected to foster collaboration and explore new avenues for economic growth and development. Followed by remarks from the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

Some diplomats addressed at the convention, amongst them the Ambassador of Pakistan to Malaysia H.E. Syed Ahsan Raza, the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.E Ahmad Farrukh, and the Ambassador of Pakistan to Italy H.E. Ali Javid, in which he informed about the challenges and progress made in Italy H.E. Ahmad Farrukh, addressed the whole GCC countries, nearly USD16 billion remitted from GCC countries, 60% total remittance. He also mentioned that overseas Pakistanis should be given priority in Pakistan.

Dr. Qaiser Anis, honorary Vice Chairman and Founding President of PBPC Abu Dhabi, addressed at the convention and expressed his thanks to Pakistan Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and their team for
organizing the Convention. He also expressed his thanks to the OPF led by Chairman Syed Qamar Raza and his team in a short time, attended and welcoming the guests at the Islamabad Airport, as well as in the convention centre with high respect. Dr. Anis addressed that Overseas Pakistanis remit more than 30B USD every year, which is more than the export of Pakistan, and this can be increased to 40-45 billion USD if we make an effort. Moreover, if the organization in Pakistan, either the OPF and other Ministries, can expedite vocational training to be expedited, and ensure that the majority of Pakistanis are certified before leaving Pakistan for other countries.

The following basic areas, a certified training should be provided – plumbing, AC technician, automotive & mechanic, carpentry, hospitality, electrician, information technology and healthcare & nursing. This can be done with the
supervision of the OPF, and see if all the vocational houses are working.
Dr. Qaiser supported the statement of H.E. Ali Javed to have a welfare fund for the overseas Pakistanis in all Pakistan Embassies, to be used in times of challenges faced by the OPs. However, the funds collected shall be audited by the Accountant General of Pakistan every year.
He also supported that overseas Pakistanis should be recognized every year and awards should also be given, thus, the Convention should be held every year. In addition, overseas Pakistanis with a maximum deposit in the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) to be recognized; this will encourage everyone to deposit in the RDA and to invest in the Pakistan stock exchange. Also recommended a tax holiday for all investments made by overseas Pakistanis in Pakistan.
to reduce the charges on mobile to zero percent or not more than 50 percent.
Recommend five (5) seats in the National Assembly  Accepted that dual nationality is permitted for being in the National and Provincial Assembly.
The OPF and embassies should recommend contributing to Pakistan and promoting the name of Pakistan, and given time to Pakistan should be recognized as the Goodwill Ambassador in each country. This will encourage OPs to promote  investment, technology, and develop relations between Pakistan and their country.
In addition to the points raised by Dr. Anis, the following are the suggestions for Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF:
1. OP’s would like the Ministry of Finance to work for the establishment of an Overseas Bank to attend to OPs financial requirements.
2. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis should work for life insurance for each OP’s through the Pakistan Embassy. The premium for the life insurance policy may be collected at the time of passport renewal.
3. Establishment of a separate immigration counter for OP’s remitting above $25,000 an “e” gate card system be issued at major Pakistani airports if possible
4. More educational institutions should be opened in Pakistan for Overseas Pakistanis’ children, particularly in areas where the majority of Overseas Pakistanis belong to and the admissions should be restricted to Overseas
Pakistanis’ children with a first preference. Special reduction in fees for Pakistani students who intend to study at Pakistani schools, colleges, and universities
5. Housing scheme to be established in major cities of Pakistan, in which OP’s are offered land or houses when they return, they have a place to stay

6. We suggest incubators like PIDC to be established for SME’s by which research world is done and sold to OPs for investment
7. Voting rights will be implemented as per the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan
8. There should be no property tax and income tax on any property investment, house, etc., in Pakistan for overseas. In this way, more foreign exchange will go to Pakistan and be invested in properties. There is a heavy property tax and income tax on houses and properties, which discourages investment in properties
9. Literature available at the Board of Investment in Islamabad should be available with Commercial Attaches in our Foreign Missions abroad.
10. The Embassy in each country should initiate a separate forum for those eligible for registration as Highly Qualified Overseas Pakistanis
11. It should be mandatory for all Overseas Pakistanis to be registered at the conference Foreign Mission
12. Hold an annual event for OPs organized by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis with an objective to promote camaraderie among Overseas Pakistanis.
The event will continue until April 15, 2025, with sessions dedicated to addressing challenges faced by overseas Pakistanis and exploring opportunities  for mutual growth.
Lastly, the OPF Chairman mentioned that he will attend the fourteen-point agenda on the conclusion of the convention, on which Dr. Anis thanked him for these important points which included an economic plan.