Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has directed the adoption and expansion of digital technologies to facilitate overseas Pakistanis and allow them to access government services without requiring physical presence in Pakistan. The directive was issued during a meeting held on Tuesday to review issues faced by overseas Pakistanis and assess initiatives being undertaken by the government to improve services for the diaspora.
According to a press release issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting where officials and relevant stakeholders reviewed measures introduced to address concerns raised by overseas Pakistanis. The initiatives have been developed in consultation with prominent representatives of the overseas Pakistani community.
During the meeting, Ishaq Dar stressed the need to expand digital solutions that can reduce the requirement for overseas Pakistanis to visit government offices in person. The proposed digital shift is intended to make government services more accessible to Pakistanis living abroad by enabling them to complete relevant processes remotely.
The directive places greater emphasis on the use of technology in the delivery of government services to the Pakistani diaspora. By expanding digital access, overseas Pakistanis could be able to interact with government departments and access services without having to travel to Pakistan for matters that can be handled through online channels.
The meeting also reviewed various initiatives already introduced by the government to address issues confronting overseas Pakistanis. Officials provided updates on measures that have been implemented, while new steps aimed at further improving facilitation for the diaspora were also discussed.
Ishaq Dar highlighted the significant contribution made by overseas Pakistanis to Pakistan’s economy through remittances. Remittances sent by Pakistanis living and working abroad represent an important source of foreign exchange for the country, making the facilitation of the overseas Pakistani community an important area for the government.
The push for wider digital access is therefore linked not only to improving public service delivery but also to making engagement with the Pakistani diaspora more convenient. Digital services can reduce the need for physical interaction with government offices and provide overseas Pakistanis with easier access to relevant government processes from their countries of residence. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Secretary IPC and other relevant stakeholders.
Officials briefed the meeting on the steps already taken to resolve problems faced by overseas Pakistanis. They also presented new measures being considered to further facilitate the diaspora and improve access to government services.
The government’s latest focus on digital solutions reflects an effort to shift more public services towards remote access for overseas Pakistanis. Ishaq Dar directed that technology should be used to reduce unnecessary physical visits and make government services easier to access for citizens living outside Pakistan.
The meeting also provided a platform to review concerns raised by the overseas Pakistani community and assess progress on measures designed to address those issues. With further digital solutions under consideration, the government aims to improve the way overseas Pakistanis access public services while recognising their continuing contribution to Pakistan’s economy through remittances.
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