ISLAMABAD -UNS: Skilled and trained Human Resource are beneficial for all of us in future.This was stated by Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.He applauded the efforts of OEC and suggested that efforts should also be made for skilled immigrants to train them in new technology.
Meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was held here at Parliament House on Tuesday with Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar in Chair.
The Senate Committee was briefed about the functions,role, priorities and future plans of Ministry and it’s attached departments. Shabnam Amir Khan, Joint Secretary for MOPHRD, apprised the Committee that Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis was created as independent ministry in 2008, however it was merged with Human Resource Development in 2013 and currently there are four autonomous bodies working under the ministry which includes Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), Overseas Pakistani Foundation (OPF), Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) and Workers Welfare Fund (WWF).
She added that primary function of ministry is to ensure well being of overseas Pakistanis and by keeping in view this goal, ministry initiate policies aimed to streamline the problems confronted by overseas Pakistanis and their dependents and besides the ministry also motivate the overseas citizens to strengthen their links with the mother country. As of now, there are 48 officers and 198 officials working in ministry and around 67 posts are vacant against the total 313 sanctioned posts, she informed.
Moreover, the Committee was briefed about the working of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF). Dr. Amer Sheikh, MD OPF, informed the committee that major function of foundation is to ensure social welfare of emigrants and their families in Pakistan and abroad and to achieve this milestone, OPF has established housing socities, educational institutions and also offered scholarships for offsprings of overseas Pakistanis in field of science, technology and art.
In addition to that, OPF has established complaint cell for timely resolution of problems of Overseas Pakistanis and as of now, 28,526 complaints have been resolved against the 33,982 registered complaints. He added that OPF is aiming to establish dedicated fast track courts in all provinces of pakistan for protection of properties and quick redressal of properties disputes of overseas Pakistanis. Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar commended the initiative and uttered it as ‘step in right direction’. Besides, A comprehensive plan is needed to redress the problems confronted by overseas Pakistanis at airports, he commented.
While discussing the role of Employees old age benefits Institution (EOBI), Chairman Committee expressed displeasure over the absence of Chairperson of EOBI. However, Senator Shahadat Awan stated that there is an allegation that EOBI has disbursed pensions to employees who were taking pensions from their respective provinces and EOBI have changed their members of Board of Trustees so many times that it has raised suspicion and EOBI has refused to provide minutes of meetings despite several demands.
Furthermore, the committee was briefed by Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) regarding their efforts for securing employment for Pakistanis abroad. Naseer Khan Kashani, MD OEC, informed that OEC helps skilled and unskilled labour in getting employment in different countries and due to continous efforts, OEC has succeeded in increasing the number of immigration per year for skilled and unskilled workers.
