Former Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar has said that overseas Pakistanis are key stakeholder in development of the country.
Farooq Sattar made these remarks while announcing the National Policy for Overseas Pakistanis on Tuesday. He said that overseas Pakistanis are contributing in the economic development of the country and annual 13 to 14 billion rupees remittances are transferred to the country. He said that role of overseas Pakistanis is not only limited in the economic sector but in other sides especially in issues like Balochistan. He said that few Baloch leaders who are sitting abroad are also patriot Pakistanis and can play their effective role to remove uncertainty and to establish long term peace in Balochistan where situation has been alarming.
Farooq Sattar said that overseas Pakistanis have not given their due role in the internal matters of the country as they have not given right of direct representation in the parliament. He said that in past few years we loss on different sides due to our faults and those countries that were behind have beat us and established their position.
MQM leader said that for prosperity and economic development we have to establish deep coordination among federal and provincial levels and have to mobilize manpower in the country. Social mobilization is the key that can change in the current situation in the country, he added.
Sattar said that to establish deep coordination among federal and provincial government and masses revival of local government system is very essential and through local government system issues of masses can be solved at grass root level.
He said that we have to take concrete steps for economic development of the country and to get rid from IMF and World Bank and only wishful thinking is not sufficient.
At this occasion, Dr Farooq Sattar said that soon we would announce two housing schemes for overseas Pakistanis and ready made apartments would be given to the expatriates. He said that this would bring investment in the country but give boom to seventy two other industries.
Talking about increased in call rates for overseas Sattar said that he has personally discussed this matter with President Asif Ali Zardari and relief would be given the Pakistanis.
He said to ministry is working for right of vote of overseas Pakistanis in the Parliament and in this regard three bills have been moved in the Parliament.