Wednesday, April 9, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 2,1429    

OPF contract employees regularised

Islamabad—Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah Tuesday directed the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) to regularize the services of all its contract employees with immediate effect who have been working for the last many years.

Addressing the senior officials of Overseas Pakistanis Division (OPD), the Minister said that all teachers of OPF Schools and colleges countrywide may be regularized soon.

Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah further directed that 50 per cent discount in tuition fee in OPF educational institutions would be given to the children of overseas Pakistanis.

He said that Overseas Pakistanis who are the holders of Golden Plus and Platinum cards issued under Foreign Exchange Remittance Scheme, would be offered free education in OPF educational institutions to their children throughout the country.

He said that the admission of all children of overseas Pakistanis would be ensured in OPF schools and colleges.

Khursheed Shah also asked the Managing Director to introduce market based salary structure to attract the qualified teachers in OPF educational institutions.

However, he said that training courses and workshops would be arranged for the teachers who have been working in OPF Public Schools and colleges.

“OPF will expand its educational network to facilitate the children of overseas Pakistanis,” he added. The Minister decided to revive Foreign Exchange Remittance (FERC) Scheme under which million of dollars are remitted in the country every year.

He said that FERC Scheme would be made more attractive by giving tangible incentives. He said that overseas Pakistanis conventions would be held in Pakistan and abroad to mobilize them for making investment in the country.
He directed the MD to ensure maximum facilities at all international airports of the country through OPF airport counters to overseas Pakistanis at the time of their arrival and departure.

Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that OPF should explore the needs to establish hospitals and trauma centres to facilitate the families of overseas Pakistanis particularly in remote areas along main highways.

The Minister said that the Hajj quota reserved for the dependents of overseas Pakistanis will be doubled from 500 to 1000 in next year for the family members of overseas Pakistanis.

Khursheed Shah said that the additional quota of 500 which has been increased, would be reserved for Golden Plus and Platinum Card holders in future.

Earlier, Secretary OPD Ms. Naheed Hyder briefed the Minister about the efforts and achievements of the foundation. Managing Director, OPF, Syed Nayyar Hasnain Haider, Joint Secretary, OPD Naeem Baig and other officials were also present.—APP