The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) has issued 12,945 golden and 17,653 silver foreign exchange remittance cards (FERC) to overseas Pakistanis for remitting $ 331.262 million through national banks to Pakistan during past three years, official sources told Business Recorder here on Monday.
Sources said that holders of these cards are entitled to several privileges including separate counters at the airports, free issuance of passports and their renewals, and a personal baggage allowance of $1500 to $2000.
Any overseas Pakistani who remits $2,500 or $10,000 through national banks to Pakistan annually was entitled to have this card.
He can apply directly to OPF head-office in Islamabad or through Pakistani embassies or missions abroad, sources added.
Sources said that 11,920 FERCs were issued to Pakistanis working in UAE for remitting $ 117.636 millions; 6601 in Saudi Arabia for remitting $ 71.399 millions; 4096 in Kuwait for remitting $ 57.138 millions; 3292 in Bahrain for sending $ 30.138 millions; 2019 in Qatar for remitting $ 22.651 millions; and 1749 in Oman for remitting $ 17.742 millions.
Sources said that 276,364,7 Pakistanis proceeded abroad for employment from 1981 to 2003.
Of these, the largest number was of labourers (1,265,435), followed by drivers (324707), masons (257,054), carpenters (181,723), tailors (158,191), technicians (123,879), agriculturists (116,165), steel fixers (115,511), mechanics (104,492), and about half-a-million skilled workers.
Sources said that the OPF has completed development work of housing schemes in Lahore, Mirpur, Gujrat, Bhimber Road, Larkana, Naudero Road and Peshawar GT Road OPF housing scheme.
The residential plots of these housing schemes have already been sold to the overseas Pakistanis.
Sources said that a decision about the OPF housing in Islamabad, Zone 5, would be taken soon.