The Overseas Pakistanis Convention aiming to acknowledge the significant contributions of its expatriates to the national economy and address their concerns formally began on Monday.
The three-day event, running from April 13 to 15, will include 1,078 overseas Pakistanis from over 60 countries. The convention serves as a platform for overseas Pakistanis, government representatives, and national institutions to interact and collaborate.
The convention has granted “state guest” status to attending overseas Pakistanis, with special arrangements made for their arrival at airports.
Government departments, including Nadra, FIA, NAB, Passport Office, State Bank and FBR, established help desks to provide information and services at a single location, to addressing the needs of the diaspora.
A cultural food festival with folk music was organised at Lok Virsa in Islamabad for the visiting overseas Pakistanis. The convention formally began on Monday.
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain highlighted the importance of these remittances, stating they support hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis. He attributed the recent increase in remittances to the trust overseas Pakistanis have in the Pakistani government.
Remittances from overseas Pakistanis are a vital source of revenue, with the country expecting over $35 billion in remittances this year, including a record $1.3 billion in February alone.
