Sattar warns against alienating overseas Pakistanis

LONDON: The Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis has said that a bill in the National Assembly of Pakistan has been moved to pursue the reserved seats for Overseas Pakistanis.
Dr Farooq Sattar stated that he was vigorously pursuing voting rights for overseas Pakistanis who send more than $13.5 billion remittances to Pakistan every year and enjoy a great clout in policy making circles outside Pakistan.
The minister said this at a two-day strategic conference on the ‘Future of Pakistan’ organised by the UK-based think-tank Forum for International Relations Development (FIRD).
Dr Sattar observed that in Pakistan, policies were made to safeguard 2 per cent ruling elite but other 98 per cent people were alien in their own land. He observed that alienating millions of Pakistanis living overseas would be a huge mistake and Pakistan didn’t afford it.
FIRD Chirman Toaha Qureshi raised important questions on economy, education, war against terror, foreign policy, deradicalisation and rehabilitation in the context of future of Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan was already an over-analysed country and that a stable Pakistan was in the best interest of the world. He said that the people in Pakistan must be empowered to play an effective role. It was proposed that a ‘No War Pact’ should be promoted between India and Pakistan.
Prof. Stephen labelled the current US policy for Pakistan as “confused”. He described the current scenario of Pakistan versus India as a waste of resources and valuable time. Prof. Cohen stressed that Pakistan should break the begging bowl and overdependence on some countries e.g. US, China and Saudi Arabia was not beneficial for Pakistan and should develop relations with other nations as well.
General Syed Athar Ali observed that the young population of the country was an opportunity as well as a threat if not exploited or put to work in an organised manner.
Professor Anatol Lieven warned that there would be a tougher stance from Obama on Pakistan if he managed to win the upcoming elections and any new terror plot in the US linking Pakistan would have catastrophic consequences.
First Secretary Eric Geelan suggested that Pakistan was more important than any other country, as Afghanistan had to depend on Pakistan for its trade with India and other Far East countries. Eric Geelan shared that US encouraged the democratic process in Pakistan.
He asserted that a long-term suggestion by Pakistan to hold talks with the Taliban was approved; and thus, talks were now going on with the Taliban, highlighting Pakistan as a key asset in their ability to come to a positive conclusion on the ‘war on terror’.
Arif Anis Malik asserted that Pakistan had entered the most crucial phase of its existence where correct steps might lead it to a lasting glory. He stressed that demystifying the puzzle of Pakistan was the key to world peace to avoid further chaos possibly leading to the third world war.
Syed Zulfiqar Gardezi, Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan, stressed on “unconditional apology” from ISAF forces to normalise US relations with Pakistan and open Ground Lines of Communication (GLOCs).
Bishop Alexander John Malik refuted the generally believed claim that madrassah system was the real problem. He outlined that it was the curriculum of hate which was orchestrated by Zia ul Haq’s government which was pushing Pakistan to militancy so crucial reforms and revisions were essential.