rime Minister Shahbaz Sharif unveiled a historic welfare and investment package at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention 2025.

With this initiative, the government has taken a step towards strengthening its ties with over 9 million overseas Pakistanis, affirming their vital role in national development and its commitment to institutional reforms, economic revival and inclusive policy-making.

This year’s convention, attended by a record number of participants from across the globe, went beyond ceremonial engagement, showing a commitment by the government to empower the diaspora through structured incentives, legal protection and recognition of their contributions to the homeland.

The government has introduced a multifaceted reform package designed to address certain long-standing issues faced by overseas Pakistanis. The initiative includes new measures from legal redress, employment facilitation, education and financial reforms.

One of the major highlights of the package is the establishment of special courts dedicated to addressing the legal challenges faced by overseas citizens. For decades, overseas Pakistanis have struggled with unresolved land disputes, fraud and bureaucratic inertia. The creation of these courts promises to ensure swift justice and assuring expatriates that their rights will be protected.

In a significant push for human capital development, the government has announced a 5 percent quota in universities for the children of overseas Pakistanis, along with a 15 percent quota in medical colleges. This will ensure that their next generation remains connected to their roots. Moreover, 5,000 NAVTTC skill development courses are being launched specifically for diaspora youth—an innovative step to bridge the skills gap and open global opportunities for young Pakistanis abroad.

Understanding the socioeconomic constraints faced by returning diaspora members, the government has announced age relaxations in public sector jobs—5 years for men and 7 years for women. The progressive policy acknowledges the complex realities of migration and reintegration, particularly for women who have often been overlooked in previous reforms.

Additionally, the Overseas Pakistanis will now be treated as filers by the Federal Board of Revenue. This provides them relief in banking and business transaction taxes, removing a major hurdle to remittance, investment and business activity.

To recognise high-performing remitters, civil awards will now be conferred annually on August 14, symbolising national appreciation and making remittance performance a matter of national pride. This recognition is meant to boosts morale and incentivise diaspora support for national economy.

What sets this government apart is not just the policy content but also the seriousness of follow-up mechanisms. Fourteen key diaspora demands have been accepted. A follow-up committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has been formed to ensure that these commitments translate into actual change. This could end the traditional cycle of token promises and build institutional memory around diaspora engagement.

While challenges remain in implementation, the presence of a follow-up committee, the integration of provincial governments and the establishment of facilitation mechanisms all suggest that the government is serious. 

Boards of Revenue in the Punjab and Balochistan have already established special facilitation offices to resolve land and revenue-related concerns of overseas citizens. The government is trying to replicate this model in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, indicating its vision of equitable access and nationwide implementation.

In the digital age, narratives shape perceptions as well as policies. Politically motivated disinformation campaigns targeting the diaspora have eroded trust in the past. Recognising this, the government has committed itself to countering misinformation through digital literacy and proactive engagement.

The new digital resilience strategy will ensure that overseas citizens receive accurate, timely information from reliable sources.

By celebrating the achievements of overseas Pakistanis and integrating foreign missions into the facilitation framework, the government is promoting Pakistan’s soft power. This enhances the country’s global image and repositions the diaspora as a central pillar of foreign policy and national progress.

One of the most applauded outcomes of the 2025 Convention is the decision to hold an annual overseas convention every April. Regular engagement will no longer be symbolic; it will become a structured channel of policy dialogue, planning and partnership.

Through direct access to ministers and continuous feedback, overseas Pakistanis will now have a seat at the table in shaping policies that affect their lives.

By institutionalising diaspora engagement, Pakistan is aligning itself with best global practices. Countries like India, the Philippines and Ireland have long benefited from strong state-diaspora partnerships. Pakistan is now catching up.

Pakistan has long suffered from brain drain—losing talented individuals to global markets due to lack of opportunities and recognition at home. The new reforms turn this challenge into an opportunity. With educational quotas, skill development programmes and relaxations in recruitment rules, the government is actively working to reverse the trend.

Overseas doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs can now reintegrate into Pakistan’s economy without having to overcome tough bureaucratic barriers. The government’s approach will ensure that Pakistan benefits not just from remittances, but also from the talent, ideas and experience of its overseas workers.

The Overseas Pakistani Convention 2025 is a historic turning point. The package is not just a policy document—it is a blueprint for inclusive, participatory governance. The government not only listened to the overseas workers, it has also acted. It has created a platform that reflects the aspirations of millions of overseas Pakistanis and offers practical mechanisms to bring them closer to their homeland.

While implementation challenges remain, the presence of a follow-up committee, the integration of provincial governments and the establishment of facilitation mechanisms suggest that the government is serious.

This convention’s message to every overseas Pakistani has been: You are not forgotten. You are equal partners in Pakistan’s journey towards prosperity.

The writer is a reporter at The News International. He can be reached at sherali9984@gmail.com.