RIYADH — Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) has taken several initiatives, especially in areas of education, health, housing and industry, to resolve social and economic problems faced by Pakistanis living and working abroad and to capitalize on their intellectual and financial expertise for the betterment of Pakistan, the foundation›s chairman has said.
Barrister Amjad Malik, who arrived in the Kingdom on Dec. 29 leading an OPF delegation, was speaking at an interactive session with members of the Pakistani community in Riyadh recently. The event was organized by the Embassy of Pakistan.
Malik appraised the participants about the steps being taken by OPF for the benefit of overseas Pakistanis. He said the prime minister of Pakistan had given him instructions to ensure the welfare of Pakistani expatriates. He urged the participants to benefit from various schemes launched by the foundation. Pakistanis who get overseas employment through the protectorate of emigration are entitled to benefits offered by the foundation.
Malik was also accompanied by Additional Foreign Secretary Dr. Irfan Yusuf Shami. The delegation held meetings with community in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh.
Members of the community discussed with the delegation matters related to their children›s education, healthcare and non-payment of salaries to the workers by some local companies. They proposed special schemes for overseas Pakistanis interested in investing in Pakistan, particularly in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Malik assured them the full support and cooperation of OPF in this regard.
Ambassador Manzoor Ul Haq welcomed the delegation. He lauded the contribution of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia and emphasized the need to give consideration to the views of workers in the Kingdom and other Gulf states while formulating rules and regulations for overseas Pakistanis.
