ISLAMABAD: The Senate’s Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Resource Development on Friday deplored the “poor” role of the Ministry of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development in solving the problems of expatriates.
During a meeting of the committee chaired by Senator Malik Hilalur Rehman, it was shared that the ministry had failed to provide assistance to overseas Pakistanis living in different countries of the world.
Senators Sassui Palijo, Sabir Shah, Molvi Faiz Mohammad, Mirza Afridi, Shaheen Khalid Butt, Dr Shahzad Waseem, Adviser to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari and senior officers of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOP&HRD) attended the meeting.
The committee took up the appeal of an overseas Pakistani currently jailed in Saudi Arabia for being involved in a road accident in which four people were killed in 2012.
The committee chair said that it was sad to know that the ministry had no information on Pakistanis living abroad, especially in Middle East. “Unfortunately, there is no online portal where overseas Pakistanis can register their complaints,” he said.
He added that there were thousands of Pakistanis in Middle East, who are in turmoil, but the ministry was least concerned about their issues. Senator Sassui Palijo was of the opinion that that the government should make all possible efforts for his release if he is not guilty of any crime.
A heated debate ensued between Senator Sassui Palijo and Zulfi Bukhari when the latter told the committee that the ministry was very well aware about the update on the case. Sassui Palijo said that thousands of Pakistanis languishing in jails across the world were waiting for airfare ticket. While briefing the committee, Zulfi said, “We have made numerous countless efforts to help overseas Pakistanis. The senators asked him to present evidence of his efforts, if any, before the committee.
Regarding the establishment of two schools and a poly technique institute in Zhob district, Senator Molvi Faiz Muhammad said that he had recommended establishment of two schools in the area. He asserted that there were numerous children of mine workers in the area who would be benefited from the initiative.
The Overseas Pakistani Foundation (OPF) additional secretary, while briefing the committee on fake degree cases said, “We are the sole organization, which has got employees’ degrees verified from the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The media has created a chaos that all employs have been recruited on fake degrees.”
He added, “We started the process in 2011 and suspended the services of four employees whose degrees were found fake.” There are two employees who have got their degrees from universities, which are not recognized by the HEC. However, their degrees have been sent to the HEC for cross verification.”
While deliberating over the issue of degree verification of officers/officials of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, the committee recommended that a sub-committee be formed to work with the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources to resolve the issue amicably.
Published in Daily Times, December 8th 2018.