ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif considers that expatriate Pakistanis are roaming ambassadors of the country and the government is giving top priority to resolve their problems, said Chairman Board of Governors (BOG) of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Amjad Malik.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held here in the honour of the newly appointed members of Overseas Pakistanis Advisory Council (OPAC), said a press release.
Among others, the ceremony was attended by a large number of expatriate Pakistanis, former ambassador Manzor-ul-Haq, Mansor Ahmed Junejo, Red Crescent Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi, Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary Shah Jamal and senior officials of OPF.
Barrister Amjad Malik said that OPAC was constituted in accordance with the vision of the PM to get feedback from expatriates and involve them in the process of policy making in order to provide them maximum facilities at their doorstep.
He said that the government had appointed an overseas Pakistani as BOG chairman at OPF, who is well aware of the problems of expatriate Pakistanis and can make valuable contributions to improve their welfare.
The chairman highlighted a number of new initiatives taken by the OPF for the welfare of expatriates and their dependents including revamping of OPF website and launching a 24-hour helpline, besides the provision of financial assistance within a month.
The OPAC members also took up various issues pertaining to expatriate Pakistanis and gave suggestions for their amicable solution.
