LAHORE - The newly established institution to resolve issues of Pakistani nationals working abroad, Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab, has addressed 42 percent of over 450 complaints, majority of illegal possessions filed with it since its inception a couple of months back.
As per official data, out of 70 cases resolved by the OPC, 41 cases of land mafias, four on fraud, three regarding police, two each against LDA, tax, PIA, TMA, revenue and passport, one each against computerised Arms License, Sui Gas authorities and Jail officials were reported by the expatriates. One specific case was reported against a Saudi Company that failed to pay salary for three months.
When asked about the type of complaints filed by the overseas Pakistanis, an official of the OPC said, the Overseas Commissioner Punjab has resolved many complaints filed by expatriates. Talking about details, he said that the expatriates from Daska, Sialkot working in Muscat and Saudi Arabia, Zaheer Ahmad, Baber Nadeem, Amir Shahzad and others had filed complaint with the commissioner requesting for registration of an FIR against Amjad and restoration of possession of land. The issue was settled, he added.
Irshad Ahmad from Gulberg-III Lahore filed a complaint regarding verification paraphernalia for grant of Pakistani Passport facilities to dual nationals in Regional Passport Office New Garden Town. The reference was forwarded to the Director General (Immigration &Passport) and passport was issued that was early delayed by the regional office. In another complaint, Syed Tajammul Rizvi complained that Rana Abdul Qayyum confined in jail C category, should be transferred to PIMS for better treatment. The Commissioner wrote to the Home department and the issue was resolved.
In another case Abdul Qayyum, resident of Mirpur AJK, filed to get possession of occupied land. The OPC wrote to the Chief Secretary AJK and the matter was resolved.
Shehla Azeem from Gulberg-II Lahore approached the office for assistance in arresting a nominated accused in a criminal case. The OPC talked to the Pakistani Ambassador to UAE and resolved the issue.
Another overseas Pakistani settled in Manchester, Abdul Rafay approached Imdad Ali Khan for recovery of funds, Deputy Director Prosecution took action and a letter issued to FIA DG and the issue was settled.
From district Gujrat, Muhammad Abdullah, currently residing in UK, also lodged a complaint against land mafia of Gujrat and requested commissioner’s help for possession of land. The request along with direction to resolve the matter was forwarded to DCO Gujrat.
Moreover, many petty issues of overseas Pakistanis, like delay in electricity connection or gas connection, were resolved with in no time on the notice of the Commissioner.
The Pakistani community working at Doha had complained with the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif that garbage of Aziz Bhatti Hospital Bimber Road Gujrat was not properly removed. The CM took notice of it and the garbage was removed.
The OPC Afaal Bhatti while talking to this paper had said that all out efforts were being made to resolve the expatriates’ issues. He said that besides the chief minister, Punjab Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal too assured the commission full cooperation and directed all the departments including police to support the OPC in this regard.
An official of the commission seeking confidentiality said the commission received complaints, most of them pertaining to Revenue and Police and other departments and if the departments do not address their complaints, the commission could refer complaints to the provincial ombudsperson.
He added that analysis of the complaints received by the commission so far show that the expatriates face a number of issues ranging from illegal possessions and betrayal by land grabbers even by their own relatives in connivance with the police or revenue officials.
He said a focal person nominated by each department would be the liaison officer between the department and the commission. OPC takes notice on the complaint, processes it within 24 hours and forwards it to the relevant organisation to resolve the issue within 7 days and furnish a compliance report positively, the official further said.