Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) : On the directives of Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Aun Chaudhry, along with Parliamentary Secretary Chaudhry Ehsan-ul-Haq Bajwa, paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia to engage with the Pakistani community and listen to their concerns.
The visit was arranged in response to proposals and issues raised by the Pakistani community residing in Saudi Arabia. During the visit, a gathering was organized under the auspices of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Saudi Arabia, which was attended by a large number of overseas Pakistanis.
Community members highlighted their long years of service abroad, stating that many Pakistanis spend 10 to 20 years overseas but face uncertainty and lack of support upon returning home. They urged the Government of Pakistan to introduce insurance and pension policies for overseas Pakistanis to ensure a dignified and secure life after their return.
Federal Minister Aun Chaudhry assured the community that individuals whose visas have been cleared through the Protectorate system will not be offloaded at any Pakistani airport. He further stated that overseas Pakistanis facing any difficulties should immediately contact the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), where their issues will be addressed on a priority basis.
Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Akram Rana, Senior Vice President of PML-N Saudi Arabia, emphasized that overseas Pakistanis are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and called for stronger governmental measures to resolve their issues.
The event was attended by Community Welfare Attaché Saed Aziz, along with prominent social, political, and business figures. Notable participants included Zahid Latif Sandhu, Nasir Mahmood Arain, Engineer Arshad Bhatti, Rana Muhammad Ashraf, Rana Sultan Mahmood, Sardar Shoaib, Mian Tariq, and other community leaders.
Addressing the gathering, Federal Minister Aun Chaudhry and Parliamentary Secretary Chaudhry Ehsan-ul-Haq Bajwa reiterated that overseas Pakistanis play a vital role in Pakistan’s economic development and that their welfare remains a top priority of the government. They noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif holds overseas Pakistanis in high regard, which is why special courts have been established to protect their rights.
They further highlighted that the Government of Pakistan has launched skilled development programs for workers traveling to the Middle East and other regions. Through these initiatives, the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) is training approximately 5,000 individuals annually, enabling them to better represent Pakistan’s skilled workforce abroad.
The Federal Minister concluded by stating that the government is taking the suggestions and concerns of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia seriously and is committed to resolving them through practical measures.
