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LAHORE, Dec 17 (APP): Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab Commissioner Saman Rai said migration today is a complex global social and economic reality, not merely a matter of relocation, shaped by international trends.
Speaking at a seminar on International Migrants Day held at Punjab University on Wednesday, she highlighted the challenges and contributions of overseas Pakistanis. Rai emphasized that education, employment, and lifestyle choices are increasingly influenced by global developments, noting that youth aspirations to succeed abroad or within Pakistan deserve equal respect.
She stressed that migration should be approached through research, awareness, and informed policy making rather than emotion.
The seminar, jointly organized to promote dialogue on migration, also featured remarks by DG OPC Punjab Ahmar Nike, who described overseas Pakistanis as “silent heroes” supporting their families and contributing significantly to the national economy.
He noted that an estimated three to four million Pakistanis live abroad, including around 800,000 to 900,000 from Punjab, and highlighted OPC Punjab’s role in addressing property, inheritance, employment, identity, and family disputes faced by overseas Pakistanis and their families.
Ahmar Nike underscored that many overseas Pakistanis face exploitation, sometimes even by close relatives, emphasizing the need for research-driven, policy-level interventions to address migration’s social, cultural, and economic dimensions. He added that a significant number of overseas Pakistanis are keen to return and invest in Pakistan, and the Punjab government is taking steps to facilitate such investments and build confidence.
The seminar was also attended by Dr. Farhan, Ahmed Usman, and Dr. Wasif Ali Wasir.