KP Assembly enacts bills to support overseas Pakistanis

PESHAWAR: In an attempt to tackle the issues faced by overseas Pakistanis, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly successfully passed the “Overseas Commission Legislation 2024”.

The legislation is designed to create a specialised  body to address the grievances and issues encountered by Pakistani nationals residing outside the country.

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During the KP Assembly’s proceedings, the Provincial Law Minister, Aftab Alam, presented a motion for the bill’s approval.

The bill garnered unanimous backing from various political parties, including the modifications suggested by members of the Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistani Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The proposed commission will be responsible for managing the concerns of expatriate citizens. An official of grade 20 or higher will be designated as the commissioner, operating under the guidance of the KP Chief Minister (CM).

The KP CM  will serve as the chairman of the Overseas Commission.

Similarly, the Speaker of the KP Assembly will appoint two assembly members to participate in the commission’s activities.

A primary responsibility of the commissioner will be to relay  complaints from overseas Pakistanis to the appropriate governmental bodies or district committees.

The legislation also grants the commissioner the authority to suggest disciplinary measures against government personnel if the grievances of the expatriate Pakistanis were not properly addressed.     

To improve accessibility and communication, the Overseas Commission will be required to present a report every six months.

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A dedicated online platform and mobile application will also be established to enable direct interaction between expatriate Pakistanis and the commission, ensuring their concerns are acknowledged and prioritised.