President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President AKIA, Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister of Sindh, Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said that for economically stable, strong and prosper Naya Pakistan, overseas Pakistanis’ cooperation is vital. Incoming Prime Minister Imran khan should use his affection and influence in overseas Pakistanis for this utmost national cause. Nominated finance minister Asad Umar is of the opinion to launch new sukuk and bonds for overseas Pakistanis with higher margin of return than the countries of their residence to resolve the issue of scarce foreign reserve and also benefit Pakistanis in abroad.
The veteran business leader while talking to the business community said that currently overseas Pakistani remit about $ 20 billion while Indians remit $ 66 billion to home countries respectively. In current trade and budget deficit situation, it is important for overseas Pakistanis to play their role effectively. Approx 0.9 million Pakistanis are working abroad in which 33 lacs are in Arab countries out of which the maximum around 15 lacs are in Saudi Arabia followed by 12 lacs in UAE, 22 lacs in Europe and 12 lacs in US respectively. Most of Pakistanis especially in Arab countries are doing less paid jobs due to educational and technical lacking and per person remittance to home country is comparatively low.
The former minister said that Skill Development Council, National Vocational Technical Training Commission, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation and other national institutions are contributing significantly in polishing the skills of Pakistani and playing important role in exporting human resource, however their number and capacity should be enhanced. The newly elected government should work together with these institutions to develop Country’s human resource, so that they may get highly paid and better opportunities, abroad.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that by providing requisite training to retired armed forces personals, Pakistan can produce the finest work force internationally. Retired officers and soldiers are professionally sound and possess various qualities who can work for image building of Pakistan as well as their life standard will grow and foreign remittances will be flourished. The incoming government should work for producing modern workforce in accordance to the recommendations of Pakistan overseas employment promotion association on priority so that Pakistanis can get better and high paid opportunities abroad.