LAHORE - Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab will set up a panel of lawyers to pursue the cases of deserving overseas Pakistanis.
This has been stated in an official handout issued here on Monday, in which the proceedings of the nascent body, addressed by the chief minister through video link, were given.   
The commissioner, Afzaal Bhatti, briefed the chief minister about the hitherto performance of the commission.
Mian Shahbaz Sharif said the commission has been granted complete administrative and financial autonomy. He said that Pakistanis living abroad are the ambassadors of Pakistan and are playing an important role in strengthening economy of the country. He said that solution of the problems of overseas Pakistanis is the responsibility of the state and Overseas Pakistanis Commission has been set up for this purpose. He said that the commission will prove very helpful in redressing grievances of overseas Pakistanis on priority basis. The meeting decided to arrange road shows in foreign countries with regard to Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab. Approval was also granted to give internship to male and female students of universities for assisting overseas Pakistanis.
The chief minister said that Pakistanis living abroad have promoted the image of the country through their hard work and no one will be allowed to grab their properties. He said that justice will be provided to overseas Pakistanis through solving their problems. He directed the overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab to work efficiently and dedicatedly for addressing the complaints of Pakistanis living in foreign countries. He further said that advisory councils comprising overseas Pakistanis be constituted at the earliest and overseas Pakistanis having good repute be included in these councils.
He said that information technology will soon be introduced in Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab and speedy measures will be taken for redressing the grievances of Pakistanis living abroad.
In response to the proposal of setting up overseas police centres, the chief minister directed that a plan be presented to him for its implementation. He said that a comprehensive mechanism be evolved for the effective follow up, monitoring and implementation of the measures taken for resolving problems of overseas Pakistanis and added that he will review the performance of  the commission on fortnightly basis.
Vice Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab Khalid Shaheen Butt, Additional Chief Secretary, Capt.(R) Mobeen, Director General (District Police) Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab, Khawaja Dawood DG Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab and concerned authorities attended the meeting.