The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) has submitted a proposal to the government to make Overseas Pakistanis Membership compulsory, with a nominal fee of Rs10,000 for five years.
Syed Qamar Raza, OPF chairman, said the move would help the foundation serve Pakistanis abroad more effectively. “If all overseas Pakistanis become members, we can provide better facilities and support through stable finances,” he stated.
The proposal has been approved by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and is awaiting final approval from the Prime Minister.
Raza emphasized that the foundation is planning to introduce a wide range of services and facilities for the country’s diaspora, covering all 12 million Pakistanis living in the UAE, Gulf countries, the Middle East, and other global regions.
Overseas Pakistanis are vital to Pakistan’s economy, contributing billions of dollars in remittances and investments. Last year, Pakistan recorded a historic $38.3 billion in remittances. Analysts expect inflows to surpass $41–42 billion in 2025–26.
According to State Bank of Pakistan data, workers’ remittances grew 10.5% between July 2025 and February 2026, reaching $26.5 billion, compared to $24 billion during the same period last year. In February alone, Pakistan received $3.3 billion, led by inflows from the UAE ($696.2 million), Saudi Arabia ($685.5 million), the UK ($532 million), and the US ($319.5 million).
Raza is currently traveling to various countries to assess the challenges faced by the diaspora. His recent visits include Germany, South Korea, and Japan, where he met senior officials and community representatives.
During his visit to the UAE, Raza met with community members, businessmen, and consulate officials to discuss potential issues and ways to improve services. Among those he consulted were Mian Munir Hans, Iqbal Dawood, and Syed Salem Akhter.
The OPF chairman said the proposed membership fee is “quite nominal” and would enable the foundation to provide long-term, sustainable support to Pakistanis living abroad.
The foundation aims to use membership funds to expand programs, improve outreach, and strengthen communication with the overseas community. Officials highlighted that structured membership would also allow better planning of financial and social initiatives targeting diaspora needs.
Raza’s initiative comes at a time when remittances have become a key pillar of Pakistan’s economy, helping stabilize foreign reserves and support national development projects.
With the implementation of this proposal, all overseas Pakistanis would contribute to a unified framework that enhances engagement, services, and protection for citizens living abroad. The OPF believes this step will create a more coordinated and efficient support system for Pakistanis globally.