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What steps were taken by the pervious government for overseas Pakistanis, and what measures do you suggest for the present regime in this regard?
Views must be focused and to the point to avoid unnecessary editing and should not exceed 250 words. No views without the full name and address will be entertained.
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vf@jang.com.pk
Your Opinion
Mr. Jamali's government should take immediate steps for opening the doors of foreign employment for Pakistanis, more particularly in Muslim countries rather than in the U.S. and European countries.
Every body knows what is happening with Pakistanis in America and other non-Muslim states. Every Muslim Pakistani is treated as an enemy.
Nevertheless, It is also the fault of Pakistanis who were determined to have permanent residence in the U.S. and other
non-Muslim states.
Iqbal Ahmed
Karachi
Musharaf
Government tries its best to attract foreign investment in the country by taking
special steps like visiting foreign countries and making meetings with the
overseas Pakistani's and make a countable increase in the revenue.
Present
Government also have to follow the footprints and to make them deep too.
Following incentives may be offered to overseas Pakistani's:
These
and other many investors bring a charm to many of the Pakistani's to come back
to Pakistan and serve it letter and spirit.
Muhammad
Omer Sadiq
Wah Cantt
There is very little to hope if Pakistani government can do something
encouraging for overseas Pakistanis, who are staying in any foreign country
illegally. The present climate makes it even more difficult as Pakistan
unfortunately has become a 'gateway to heaven’, which is reflected
in the number of foreigners arrested and handed over to the US with
alleged links to terrorism or terrorists’ networks.
looking through this scenario, one can hardly expect any miracle form the
government, as they are not in a position to help any of us; only an act of God
almighty can help us.
Wajid
Rizvi
Milpitas,
California
why have you given a bit where is the rest of it.
Abdul
zaman
uk
In my
opinion, it is useless to suggest any thing to our govt. As you may have heard
and read that even citizens themselves in our own country are not safe.
M.
Fahad
U.S.A
Previous Governments have not done nothing good for overseas Pakistanis and the
current government is also a no way different from its predecessors.
shahbaz Malik
Sydney
There might be number of steps taken
by the previous govt. but looking into future, my humble suggestions are as
follows:
1. Protection of rights in accordance
with the contract with employer.
2. Support during proceedings of cases.
3. Protection in case of unjustified/false allegations to innocent workers!!!
Moreover, what the government should do is to establish a department in embassy
which should be deputed this assignment and must be allowed to meet such people
and entertain their complaints. In genuine cases, hence, embassy staff should
help them to sort out the cases.
I will appreciate if this is seriously
considered.
A Pakistani expatriate
Right now Pakistani government have a good relations with USA government and, therefore, it should persuade the US government not to deport Pakistanis living US
Rahim Deyani
As many would have observed, there is a steady
beeline of Professionals getting Immigration, specifically to Canada, in
hopes to better their living standard and social statues for themselves and
their families.
To avail this opportunity, most have to quit their organizations in Pakistan, as
these do not facilitate them by sanctioning the leave for 3-4 years, to
get the citizenship. This state is thus resulting in the gradual brain drain.
If the Government of Pakistan notify all the departments to allow the immigrants to proceed on leave for 3-4 years to get the citizenship, majority of the immigrants would come back after getting the citizenship and can serve their organizations and country with more zeal and dedication.
Shahzad
Toronto
This is continuity of previous government, so to expect anything different from
this regime is a foolish idea. Forget about overseas Pakistanis, because also
this government has done nothing so far anything
commendable for the people living in Pakistan. Truly speaking, I have no
expectations from this puppet government.
Mazhar Bukhari
Sydney, Australia
Well I don't have any suggestion, but definitely
critical/realistic view about this question. Rulers of Pakistan cannot do any
thing for their overseas Pakistanis. These rulers are weak and have
acquired power through conspiracy and have become dictators against their
constitution. They need support from powers around the world to stay in power.
When they themselves are helping FBI to arrest citizen living in Pakistan
and allowing them to be extradite without following legal procedures, then what
do one can suggest them for Pakistanis living abroad. So, please remove this
question from your site as to any embarrassment to Pakistani rulers.
Sheikh Masood,
AZ
As far as the problems of Pakistanis living in US are concerned, present regime
should declare that since they violated the US policy, they should be dealt
according to US law like exactly Dr. Khawaja was dealt with by FBI in Pakistan.
Muhammad Imran
Kearny, New Jersey
The present regime should made public via media
whatever steps they are going to take to overcome the mistrust created by their
predecessors and why should people believe in them.
They should help Pakistanis settle back home so that new Pakistanis can replace
them overseas and have an opportunity to make their life better. There
should be a service offering free feasibility studies for the business projects
overseas Pakistanis can start in Pakistan.
One way forward for this government would be to ensure the justice is administered to all irrespective of any discrimination, and security to all those Pakistanis who went to help build Pakistan and returned humiliated.
Sajjad Rehman
UK
No government ever had any
viable policy to take advantage of "professionals and educated"
Pakistanis living in EU and North America. Overseas Pakistanis have only been
seen as source of Foreign Exchange.
Political parties established
in foreign countries by all politicians used hard working Pakistanis,
who never served the purpose of Pakistan. Rather, they served corrupt
politicians. There are very few Pakistani organizations that focus on Pakistan's
socio-economic problems.
Government should encourage the following: 1. No Political Parties abroad. 2.
Organizations to be supported by government to work as "Think Tanks"
for social, educational, and economic development in Pakistan. 3. Caucuses in
Western World for the sack of lobbing for Pakistan's national interest. (Not for
politicians’ personal interests). Pakistan has none in the USA. Follow the
model of Poland, China, and Malaysia and see how they contributed to development
in almost all domains of human activity.
Zafar A. Bokhari
Chicago, USA
Previous
Governments introduced visa free travel back home which was a landmark step.
Secondly, issuance of ID cards which was just a so-so attempt and
continues as such.
Based on personal experience one is bound to think that a lot needs to be done in this regard. Some of the salient features that present regime should take care of are:
FM
Endrabi
Lahore
First, I would like to thank you for raising a
topic, which is interesting to many overseas Pakistanis.
The previous government did not do anything spectacular with respect to us other
than the Nawaz Sharif government, which created the Green Channel at Pakistani
Airports.
Hence, the present government should consider the following suggestions to
restore the confidence of Pakistani's abroad and to enhance feelings of
patriotism:
1. Re-instate free visa
exemption stamps for dual nationals in the UK.
2. Pakistani passports should be issued for a 10 years period rather than
require renewal every 5 years (at present the Pakistani passport is issued for a
5 years period only).
3. NICOP and Origin Cards should not apply to dual nationals who are also
UK citizens. They should be issued with the same ID Card as Pakistani citizens
living in Pakistan.
4. There is not much demand for overseas Pakistanis to have the right to
vote in Pakistani elections. If this right is given then it would create
divisions and complications amongst the communities living here.
5. Pakistan should follow in the footsteps of major international airports
who have embraced the efficiency of modern technology rather than have customs
officials to check luggage. Customs officials should only be
authorised to make random checks on suspicious luggage after it has passed
through a scanner thereby reducing the anxiety felt by passengers.
6. Passengers should be allowed to sit with their relatives once they have
checked in. This is the practice in most airports therefore Islamabad, in
particular, should make provision for this.
7. There is far too much staff at Islamabad Airport who actively hassle
passengers without any solid reason. There should only be as much staff as
required for the safety of passengers and general security or etc. Induction of
female staff is also commendable on the part of the government.
8. All flights from Islamabad to Manchester leave in the wee hours of the
morning. Flights should be at a more convenient time as passengers are required
to be there 3 hours before departure. Flight times should be
changed so those passengers do not have to travel at unsafe times during the
night. Similarly flights landing in Pakistan, land in the early hours of the
morning and many passengers have been known to be robbed of their belongings and
cash when they are en route to their
respective destinations. It is not safe to travel to Pakistan therefore times
should be changed to a light hours for the safety of the passengers.
9. PIA should be privatized so that its services can be improved.
Fozia Hussain
England
In view of the changing situation occurring daily/weekly/monthly, the
question "what did the previous government" has no bearing. The second
part of the question is of importance " what measures do you suggest for
the current regime in this regard ".
I
suggest that they should contact all their citizens in the U.S. and provide them
with some sort of assistance in returning home or to another country. The reason
being that once the offensive starts on Iraq and there's more unrest in
Pakistan, these people will be rounded up and locked up under Homeland Security
measures.
At the same time Pakistan will be declared as part of the Axis of evil, there
will be an attempt to destroy nuclear capabilities, with an attack by
the U.S. forces already present in the region and Israeli Special Forces present
in India. Thereby eliminating any real threat to Israel.
From there on it will be smooth sailing to swallow up one small Muslim nation after the other.
All
this is at the command of our master and supreme leader named Sharon. All
the Muslim states shall become one commonwealth known as THE UNITED STATES OF
ISRAEL, with all the sheiks retained as governors.
So get with the master plan!
Sohail
Shah
Florida, USA
There is very little for foreigners that any of
the governments have done so far and the same trend continues.
The areas of improvement urgently needed are immigration issues, transport for foreigners.
ABDUL ZAMAN,
UK
It will be rather blunt to say that we really
don't expect much from a dictator and his installed puppet Prime Minister in
Pakistan to do anything effective in regards to getting a resolution to the
current crisis that the Pakistani community in the USA is facing.