The diaspora, a valuable asset for the nation, calls for momentum in ongoing projects
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with Chairman of the Board of Governors of OPF Syed Qamar Raza and Director General of OPF Mohammed Afzaal Bhatti in Islamabad on July 1, 2026. PHOTO: PMO/X
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) to prepare and present a comprehensive roadmap for further improvement in the body’s initiatives.
According to a message
“Discussions were held on the foundation’s initiatives to resolve the problems of Pakistanis residing abroad,” the PMO wrote. He added that in his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz “said that overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset to the nation, contributing significantly to foreign exchange remittances by sending their hard-earned income back to Pakistan.”
The Prime Minister directed the OPF to “give further impetus to the ongoing projects and initiatives for the welfare of overseas Pakistanis”.
During the meeting with Raza and Bhatti, Prime Minister Shehbaz was briefed about the roadmap for further measures to promote the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and provide them with facilities, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
OPF officials also paid tribute to the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s efforts towards world peace while Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the OPF’s initiatives, directing the body to prepare a road map.
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Overseas Pakistanis contribute nearly $40 billion annually, helping to support household incomes, finance imports and stabilize external accounts. At a time when exports remain largely stagnant and foreign direct investment fails to gain momentum, remittances provide a reliable source of foreign exchange.
They have repeatedly supported the economy during periods of crisis and remain one of the few economic indicators showing sustained growth. In January, it was reported that remittances reached a record high of $3.6 billion in December 2025. However, given the conflict in the Middle East, the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics warned in March that the annual inflow of remittances could decline by $3 billion to $4 billion.
He also noted that every year, around 700,000 to 800,000 Pakistanis travel to Gulf countries for work, saying that if the conflict continues, around 500,000 Pakistani expatriates may not be able to go abroad to work in 2026.
