KARACHI, 27 August — Special counters will be set up at five airports to assist overseas Pakistanis, or non-resident Pakistanis (NRPs) on their departure or arrival from international cities.
These counters, which are to start working from Sept. 1 with the help of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, will be located in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.
Airport officials are believed to be currently making all arrangements for these special assistance counters. Initially the Defense Ministry, citing unspecified technical factors, refused to allow special passenger handling counters but their arguments were overruled by Labor Minister Omar Asghar Khan. Apparently the government was keen to rebuild the confidence of overseas Pakistanis and encourage them to increase their foreign exchange remittances to the country.
Until two years ago the OPF was running counters at some airports of the country with the express purpose of easing travel procedures. However, all these counters were later closed.
The move created a negative impression among Pakistanis working abroad. It is significant to note that at that stage the facilities provided by the OPF staff to Pakistani workers was mainly of social nature. This time however it is learnt that the OPF staff would facilitate the immigrant as well as emigrant overseas Pakistanis at these airports in the clearance at customs counters as well as in immigration/ emigration matters, etc.
Meanwhile, the OPF has started issuing silver and gold cards to overseas Pakistanis. Workers holding such cards are to be given due importance and facilities at these international airports on their arrival or departure. They would also benefit from various social welfare schemes as well as housing schemes launched in various parts of the country.
