JEDDAH, 10 May — Pakistan’s potential in human resources, especially in meeting the growing needs of the Kingdom’s health and education sectors, was presented to various local authorities by a visiting Pakistani official.
“We had ministerial and business level meetings both in Riyadh and Jeddah and we’ve been able to convince them that our country has tremendous potential in technocrats and skilled labor. We’re especially focusing on our vast trained human resources, especially doctors, paramedics and English teachers,” Farhat Hussain, secretary to Pakistan’s Ministry of Labor, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, said at a community meeting at Kababish restaurant on Tuesday night.
Hussain dwelled on a wide range of issues related to the local Pakistani expatriates in particular and overseas Pakistanis in general, and explained his government’s insurance and pension schemes, as well as incentives to invest in small and medium industries. He urged the community to send remittances through official channels.
Hussain later told reporters that his visit served the purpose for which it was set. “I came to thank local authorities for hiring Pakistanis and to explore further possibilities. My purpose was also to present the country’s vast potential in manpower for the health and education sectors in particular, and to explain the government’s insurance, pension and housing schemes for overseas Pakistani workers. The impact from all of them has been tremendous, both in Riyadh and Jeddah.” He held a similar meeting in Madinah yesterday and is expected to return to Jeddah today before leaving for Kuwait in the course of his Gulf tour.
Hussain explained to the community that a monthly contribution of $30 for 10 years could earn an overseas Pakistani and his family a pension of 4,000 Pakistani rupees per month for life. Those contributing $15 a month for 10 years would get 2,000 rupees a month for life. Pleading that remittances be channeled through official agencies, Hussain said Chief Executive Gen. Pervez Musharraf had shown personal interest in this matter by attending a recent meeting in which the Ministry of Finance set up a task force to see what incentives could be offered to remitters of foreign exchange.
“The matter is under review and incentives will be announced in the next budget.” Hussain urged expatriates to invest in business back home, especially in small and medium size enterprises. There is also official protection given to foreign currency account, he said, adding: “All assurance will be carried out and promises fulfilled as credibility is sacred to the present government.”
