Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has unveiled new measures to support overseas Pakistanis, including the creation of special courts for speedy resolution of their cases and reserved education quotas for their children. The PM stressed the need of recognizing the diaspora’s contributions to Pakistan in his speech at the first Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad.
The newly established courts in Islamabad, with plans for similar courts in Punjab, aim to streamline judicial processes for overseas Pakistanis. Additionally, a 5% education quota in federally chartered universities and a 15% quota in medical colleges will reserve thousands of seats for their children.
Sharif also outlined tax privileges for the diaspora, granting treatment as filers in business and banking matters. A five-year age relaxation for government jobs, extended to seven years for overseas women, was also announced. Furthermore, the government will award 15 civil honors annually to expatriates who send the highest remittances.
Remittances, a lifeline for Pakistan’s economy, reached $4.1 billion in March 2025, underlining the diaspora’s critical role. Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir lauded their contributions, labeling them a “brain gain” for Pakistan.
