Overseas Pakistanis contribute $40bn in remittances, claims Law Minister Tarar

2026-01-29 - 08:31

ISLAMABAD – Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday said the government is taking all possible measures for resolving the issues of the overseas Pakistanis. Addressing the Overseas Conference at Barcelona, Spain, he said overseas Pakistanis are the precious asset of the country and the ambassadors of Pakistan abroad. Azam Nazeer Tarar said the Prime Minister has also directed the authorities concerned to take all initiatives for wellbeing and facilitating the overseas Pakistanis. He informed that overseas Pakistanis sent twelve billion dollars remittances in 2008, which have now surged to forty billion dollars on Thursday (today). The Minister said the relations with the European Union under the GSP Plus status would be further strengthened. He also lauded the overseas Pakistanis for their unwavering commitment towards development and prosperity of the country. Earlier this month, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development recorded remarkable growth in both overseas employment and worker welfare in 2025. Leveraging the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment, a total of 762,499 Pakistanis secured jobs abroad, marking a 5% increase compared to the previous year and highlighting the nation’s expanding global footprint. The financial impact of overseas workers has never been more pronounced. Remittances surged by 9% to reach approximately USD 40 billion, strengthening foreign exchange reserves, supporting external debt repayment, and fueling poverty reduction and national development projects. Analysts say these figures underscore the critical economic contribution of Pakistanis abroad. Ministry inked labor mobility agreements with Italy, Belarus, and Iraq, opening doors for dignified employment. Italy introduced a three-year quota of 10,500 jobs, providing 3,500 annual positions in healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, and shipbreaking. Meanwhile, Qatar resumed work visas after 19 years, expanding Gulf opportunities for Pakistani workers. Worker protections saw a major overhaul. The E-Protector System led to the cancellation of licenses for 71 underperforming Overseas Employment Promoters, preventing exploitation. For the first time, a web-based Soft Skills Training Module complemented a standardized Pre-Departure Orientation Programme, preparing workers for global workplaces. On the welfare front, benefits were significantly increased: marriage grants rose from PKR 400,000 to 600,000, death grants from PKR 800,000 to 1,000,000, and a new insurance scheme now provides up to PKR 2 million for accidental death or disability, along with funeral and repatriation support. 2025 also witnessed historic milestones: the first Overseas Pakistanis Convention was held, with the second scheduled for April 2026, and 16 overseas Pakistanis received civil awards on 14 August. Special courts were established through federal, Punjab, and Balochistan legislation to expedite property dispute resolutions for overseas citizens. The Ministry declared that these developments demonstrate Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to dignified employment, worker welfare, and economic growth, emphasizing that overseas Pakistanis are central to the country’s development trajectory, with further progress expected in the coming years. How can overseas Pakistanis transfer their vehicles without visiting embassy?