ISLAMABAD: In an expected move, Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has tabled a private bill in the National Assembly for voting right of overseas Pakistanis.
Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convener of the MQM while talking to newsmen was of the view that it is a constitutional right of the overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes in polls and in 1993, the Supreme Court of Pakistan also issued a verdict in their favor to make arrangements for it.
Rendering voting rights to the overseas Pakistanis is included in all political parties’ manifesto, so none should oppose this bill, added Farooq Sattar, it is not mentioned in the Constitution that a dual national cannot be head of a political party.
Overseas Pakistanis are very perturb over Judges remarks about moral status of them. They are thinking to block remittances for one day as “Token Protest”.
Overseas Pakistanis are planning to block remittances for one day most probably on March 12, 2013 to protest comments of one of judges of Supreme Court of Pakistan passed during Tahirul Qadri case.
According to some overseas Pakistani groups, stopping remittances for one day as a Token Protest will indicate how much overseas Pakistanis are important for the economy of the country and how much they are important for Pakistan but they are not being given proper status and respect in the country. Economic analysts believe that already stress economy will further be shaken if such act of blocking remittances really take place.
“It will disastrous for Pakistani economy that is already crumbling. One should take the issue very seriously”, said one official of Overseas Pakistani Division (OPD) on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to talk to media.
Overseas Pakistani workers are the second largest source of Foreign Exchange Remittances to Pakistan after exports and over the last several years, the foreign exchange remittances have maintained a steady rising trend, with a recorded increase of 21.8% from $6.4 million in 2007-08 to $7.8 million during 2008-09. In 2009-10, Pakistani sent home $9.4 billion, the 11th largest in the world. By 2012, Pakistan increased its ranking to 10th in the world for remittances sent home at $13 billion per annum.
The Overseas Pakistani Division (OPD) was created in September 2004 within the Ministry of Labour and Manpower. Since 2004, it has recognized the importance of overseas Pakistanis and their contribution to the economy. Together with Community Welfare Attaches (CWAs) and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), all three are improving the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. The division aims at providing better services to the overseas Pakistanis through improved facilities at airports, setting up suitable schemes in housing, education and health care. Its largest effort is facilitating the rehabilitation of returning overseas Pakistanis.
