PESHAWAR: Former Ambassador of Pakistan, Manzoorul Haq here on Friday stressed the need for simplification of laws and better incentives for overseas Pakistanis, who are playing vital role in the development and strengthening of Pakistan’s economy.
“Presently, around 7.4 million Pakistanis are settled in different countries. They contribute 20 billion dollars of foreign exchange annually for which they deserve better services at airports upon arrival at their home country. Therefore, the concerned laws for overseas Pakistani’s should be simplified,” he told APP in an exclusive interview.
He said that overseas Pakistanis have are devoted to Pakistan and are always highlighting a soft image of the country’s all over the world.
Manzoorul Haq recalled a year-old incident when a Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen had arrived at Peshawar airport to inquire about health of his ailing wife. “He handed over his Canadian passport and Pakistani ID card to the immigration staff; however, he was not allowed to enter his home country and was turned back after the expiration of his national identity card (NIC) in a few days,” he lamented.
“This reflects how maltreatment is meted out to overseas Pakistani at airports,” he said.
The former ambassador went on to say that leaving passengers have to park their vehicles far off the airport’s premises which compels them to lumber with their heavy luggage towards the airport while passing through many obstacles just to reach the terminal lounge.
“The passengers also have to face bitter experiences while getting their luggage cleared at various search points,” he said adding the goods of passengers are even searched outside of the airport’s gate,” said Manzoorul Haq.
He said that suitcases or bags were put to a novel mode of searching as sharp tools are wedged through them, damaging precious things and articles inside during searching process.
He said that the tired passengers collect their luggage after a long wait, which was later searched once again by customs officials and tags checkers. “Complaints of opening of goods and damages is not a new phenomena,” he said.
Following this tedious process, he said a passenger has to come out with heavy luggage on his shoulder from the airport’s premises and hire a taxi to his destination.
However, the former ambassador said that staff in majority airports of Pakistan is very forthcoming and cooperative while handling passengers with professionalism and dedication. He concluded that such staffers should be encouraged.
