The Overseas Pakistan Foundation (OPF) on Monday disbursed over Rs 3.7 million among 75 deserving families of overseas Pakistanis, who suffered from tragic incidents of death and disability.
Out of these, 39 destitute families residing in the vicinity of Federal capital received cheques amounting Rs 50,000 each, while rest of families received cheques of the same amount at provincial headquarters. Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis, Muhammad Raza Hayat Hirraj distributed cheques among the affectees families here at National Library.
Federal Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Division, Ms Naheed Haider, Managing Director OPF Syed Nayyer Hasnain Haider, General Manager Welfare, Anjum Shahzab Sheikh, Joint Director Welfare Khawaja Muhammad Mustafa, Principal OPF Girls College, Dr Shahina Khan and other senior officials of OPF were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister appreciated the efforts of the organisation and said the Foundation is playing an important role in the socio-economic uplift of overseas Pakistanis.
"The OPF has launched a number of schemes for the welfare of overseas Pakistani and their families", he added. "This is the responsibly of the government to work for the welfare of Pakistanis living in and outside the country, which we have done...", he added.
In this regard, the Minister of State said the OPF has enhanced financial aid from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 for the destitute families of deceased and disabled overseas Pakistanis.
In order to provide quality education to the children of overseas Pakistanis, Raza Hayat Hirraj said the OPF has set up 21 public schools besides one boys college and two girls colleges in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The State Minister said that the degree-awarding status to OPF Girls College F-8/2 Islamabad would be announced within two months.
Due to the efforts of the overseas Pakistanis, he said the remittances from overseas Pakistani will surge to over $5.5 billion in the current fiscal year against $4.62 billion during last fiscal year. Earlier, Managing Director Syed Nayyer Hasnain Haider briefed the participants about the efforts and plans of the Foundation.
He said "We have launched a number of welfare schemes for the welfare and rehabilitation of the overseas Pakistanis". About financial assistance, he said the OPF had introduced a Financial Aid Scheme in 1980-81 aimed at helping the bereaved families to overcome their initial financial problems after the demise of their earning members.
From 1980-81 to date, about 4018 destitute families of overseas Pakistanis have been awarded financial aid amounting to Rs 91.25 million approximately, Nayyer Hasnain added. This was a one-time grant with financial aid of Rs 50,000, he said and added that the grant has been enhanced to Rs 100,000.
The Managing Director said that OPF also awarded financial aid to disabled but the awarded amount was not sufficient enough to be invested in any income-generating scheme.