PRESS Release from Overseas Pakistanis Investors Forum (OPIF)
By: Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum.
OPIF on behalf of 8 million Overseas Pakistanis who are remitting nearly USD 11 billion per year to the country demand the following:
- The only machine readable passport condition applied in the Gulf since 1st September 2010 should be with drawn till all Overseas Pakistanis are issued machine readable passports. Sudden implementation of the policy without infrastructure has created a tragic situation for Pakistanis still holding normal passports. For example in Doha Qatar till today machine readable passports (mrp) cannot be issued in the absence of relevant personnel although machines were installed some 2 years ago.
- Despite promises no tangible progress has been made towards giving representation to Overseas Pakistanis in our Parliament and Senate. We demand urgent actions in giving atleast 6 seats in parliament and 6 seats in Senate to Overseas Pakistanis. Six seats to represent:
1. USA
2 Canada and Australia
3 UK
4 Europe
5 Middle East
6 Far East and Africa
3. Following the Example of South Korea in 70’s and 80’s we demand creation of a mandatory National Investment Fund for Overseas Pakistanis (NIFOP). In which all Overseas Pakistanis holding Pakistani passport may be obliged to invest 10 % of the annual saving in NIFOP. The fund to be managed by a top ranking Fund Manager would be allowed to invest only in Pakistani Equity Bond and Real Estate. Such fund to protect returning Pakistanis like it did to returning South Koreans in the 80’s. Massive accumulating fund to stimulate Pakistan’s Economy in such a way that it will pave a way for return of Overseas Pakistanis back home often finding jobs in the Companies which their investment made possible.
