Islamabad, The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, led by Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi, convened today at the Parliament House. The meeting included Senators Shaheen Khalid Butt and Zeeshan Khanzada, focusing on the challenges faced by Overseas Pakistani workers.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting’s morning session featured an overview of initiatives by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), including the establishment of schools and provision of scholarships for overseas Pakistanis’ children. The Bureau of Immigration also provided insights into the recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of adhering to immigration rules.
The committee requested a detailed five-year breakdown of data, segmented by country and skill, to facilitate trend analysis and strategic planning. This includes insights into Government-to-Government (G2G) agreements and Letters of Intent (LOIs). Specific attention was given to issues like the non-issuance of UAE work visas to Pakistanis and the G2G approval process for international labor agreements, seeking greater transparency in these areas.
Furthermore, the committee proposed several recommendations, including the discontinuation of the term “export” in reference to overseas workers and replacing “Tarkeen-e-Watan” with “Yaran-e-Watan” in official documents.
In the evening session, the Ministry of Communication provided briefings on its departments, such as the Construction Technology Training Institute (CTTI) and the National Transport Research Centre (NTRC). The discussions highlighted the training programs and facilities available, with the committee emphasizing the need to expand these to better equip Pakistanis working abroad.
Additionally, the Cabinet Division briefed the committee on the criteria and procedures for National Civil Awards. In response, the committee suggested adding an “Investors in People” award category to recognize organizations and individuals contributing to worker training and certification.