Tag: overseas Pakistani

  • Lahore: Teenage driver kills Saudi Arabia returned female medical student after hitting her car

    Lahore: Teenage driver kills Saudi Arabia returned female medical student after hitting her car

    After six of a family were killed in an accident in DHA Phase 7 at the hands of a teenaged driver, another incident has been reported where a medical student’s car got hit by a teenager. The driver was reportedly harassing the girl who had returned from Saudi Arabia. As a quarrel ensued after the collision of the two cars, the underage driver called his family who then opened fire at the victim. She was rushed to the hospital where she died.

    The unfortunate incident occurred in a private housing society in Chung Town, Lahore, on November 4. It has resurfaced as the police added murder charges in the case on Sunday. According to the police report, the girl succumbed to her injuries on Sunday. However, an eyewitness said the girl had died a week after the incident on November 12 but the police added murder sections later.

    New reports are emerging as Tazin’s relatives have appealed to the chief minister in a letter to take notice of the incident, saying the suspect was from an influential family and they were being threatened for pursuing the murder case. They also said the teenager’s family was forcing them to reconcile with them.

    According to a First Information Report (FIR), the underage driver identified, Abdur Rehman, rammed his car into another vehicle, in which the victim was travelling along with her mother and brother, which led to a quarrel. According to the police, the boy called his uncle who then opened fire.
    The female student was identified as Tazin Khan whose family had returned from Saudi Arabia for her education. She was hit with bullets in her abdomen and was shifted to a local hospital in life-threatening condition while the attackers fled the scene.

    In another report, the Chuhng Police had registered a case against the attackers for attempted murder on the complaint of her maternal uncle Rizwanul Haq. The complainant in the case told the police that the suspects had harassed the female members of his family. Consequently, the offenders killed them, Dawn reports.

    The armed men, including Sajid, his brother Amjad, and two unidentified men, ambushed their car, and opened fire at it.

    In a report filed by Azam Malik, Tazin was hit by one of the nine bullets fired by the accused family. Her father kept pleading for her to be taken to hospital but they did not let him, eyewitnesses have stated. Her father was traumatized and pressured to the level that he did not lodge a complaint, deciding instead to leave the country for the safety of his family. Abdur Rehman, the teenaged driver, is hardly 17-years-old and other members of the colony have also complained about him harassing ladies in the park previously, reported Azam. The suspects have secured a pre-arrest bail till November 28 while the police is waiting till then to arrest them. CCPO Lahore has also aimed at including section 311 which is related to maintaining the charges and punishment even if the family forgives the culprit.

    Instants of rash driving by underage drivers are increasing, especially in Lahore. Following the DHA mishap on November 11, Lahore police have registered 4,682 cases and seized hundreds of vehicles during crackdowns over the last 13 days on underage drivers, reports The News.

  • PTA introduces 120-day tax-free mobile registration for overseas Pakistanis

    PTA introduces 120-day tax-free mobile registration for overseas Pakistanis

    Prime Minister (PM) Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the Online Temporary Mobile Phone Registration System on Tuesday, aimed at facilitating overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals during their visits to the country.

    Under this system, individuals will be able to register and utilise their personal mobile phones for a duration of up to 120 days from the date of their arrival, exempt from any duties and taxes. This facility is available to overseas Pakistanis, including students and employees, as well as foreign nationals visiting Pakistan for tourism or business purposes.

    During the inaugural ceremony in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz acknowledged the significant progress made by Pakistani youth in the field of information technology and emphasised the need to seize the abundant opportunities in this sector. He further stated that the current government has allocated ample funds in the budget to support various youth-oriented programmes.

     To attract foreign investment and revive the economy, a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has been established, with the IT Ministry playing a pivotal role in achieving the set objectives.

    Additionally, the PM highlighted the importance of promoting IT parks in the country to boost IT exports. He mentioned the distribution of free laptops among deserving students based on merit and assured that a non-financial package will be announced soon to further enhance facilitation for overseas Pakistanis.

    In December 2018, the government introduced the ‘Mobile Phone Tax Policy,’ allowing overseas Pakistanis to bring one phone without paying customs duty, subject to registration upon arrival at the airport. Failure to register resulted in the phone being non-operational. Initially, the registered phone could be used with one SIM for 60 days, after which it required payment of due taxes to regularise its usage.

    In 2022, authorities upgraded and introduced new features in the Identification Registration and Blocking System, enabling overseas Pakistanis to use their imported mobile phones for a period of 120 days.

    The system facilitated data exchange among the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). It was also integrated with the FIA’s record of passengers’ entry and exit.

  • Vasay Chaudhry apologises for ‘overseas Pakistani’ joke on Mazaaq Raat

    Vasay Chaudhry apologises for ‘overseas Pakistani’ joke on Mazaaq Raat

    A clip from the Dunya News comedy show ‘Mazaaq Raat’ featuring model and actress Sarah Neelum went viral on social media.

    Neelum was seen mocking overseas Pakistanis for pretending to be well-established and wealthy in Pakistan, while they are actually washing toilets abroad.

    The clip received severe backlash from overseas Pakistanis. One user wrote:

    “This unknown model on national television is claiming that overseas Pakistanis clean gutters abroad and come to Pakistan to show off by wearing cotton clothes. Meanwhile, these very overseas Pakistanis contribute $32 million through their hard work abroad.”

    Actor Shaan Shahid was among the voices who critcised Neelum’s opinion:

    “Our overseas Pakistanis .. from all walks of life are our pride .. none should show disrespect .. towards them .. as the country and we the nation owe them much more than respect .. as their sacrifices are beyond words.. much respect.”

    The host of the comedy show, Vasay Chaudhry, stepped in to apologise for the tasteless joke by calling it a “ridiculous comment”.

    “I want to publicly apologise on behalf of my whole team at #Mazaqraat ,a very stupid,Vile & ridiculous comment was made recently abt overseas’s Pakistani’s by one of the guests in our show which was followed up by an attmepted joke by one of the comedians(again in bad taste).”

    The ‘Punjab Nahi Jaugni’ actor further added:

    “A formal apology will be aired in tonight’s episode. However , I wanted to personally apologise to all the Pakistanis living abroad.We Love you , even though you might not feel the same at this point, but ” ghalatiaan apnoo say he hoti hain.”

  • Khan video released asking if his ‘khitaab’ will be shown in the US

    Khan video released asking if his ‘khitaab’ will be shown in the US

    An exclusive video of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has been released by 24News Channel, in which he can be heard asking if his virtual address be shown in the United States (US).

    The former PM was preparing for an address to overseas Pakistanis when he got curious about the broadcasting of his video.

    Upon asking, Khan was told that US residents would not be able to see the video because of the time difference between the two countries. Only Europe and England residents would be able to see his address, one of the people on set said.

    Khan, further can be heard saying that 20 minutes are enough for the address.

    It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) wants the right to vote for Pakistani residents living abroad. On multiple occasions both Khan, his former ministers and party members made several addresses for Pakistanis living abroad.

  • ‘For the first time, govt making changes in law made during British rule’: PM Khan

    ‘For the first time, govt making changes in law made during British rule’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, while addressing an event regarding Criminal Law and Justice Reforms in Islamabad, said that massive amendments in law would help bring a revolution in the criminal justice system and simplify the procedure for the common man living in Pakistan.

    The prime minister said for the first time, the government was making changes in the laws introduced during the British rule to bring improvement to the way justice was dispensed.

    PM Khan said that none of the previous governments ever thought about reforming the century-old laws in order to maintain the status quo and accommodate the elite.

    The premier said the civil law reforms were a step towards ensuring rule of law in the country, that too in line with Islam’s first socio-welfare state of Madinah.

    He quoted a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), emphasising that many earlier nations were destroyed because there were separate laws for the powerful and the weak.

    Prime Minister Imran said the lack of supremacy of the law was the “biggest obstacle” preventing Pakistan from progressing. Talking about overseas Pakistanis, he said they were the country’s biggest asset and their income was equal to that of 220 million Pakistanis.

    Federal Law Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem, speaking at the occasion, said the Code of Criminal Procedure needed changes and mentioned that the newly-introduced 700 amendments had completely overhauled the existing legal system.

    Explaining those amendments, he said that the formation of a statute of an independent prosecution service, forensic laboratory, and prison rules were significant reforms.

    Parliamentary Secretary for Law Maleeka Bokhari said over 700 amendments made in the criminal procedure code were a milestone of the PTI government and will ensure prompt delivery of justice.

  • Here’s how Overseas Pakistanis can renew their Pakistani passport online

    Here’s how Overseas Pakistanis can renew their Pakistani passport online

    The Pakistan government has introduced a convenient way for overseas Pakistani to renew their passports online. The applicants whose passport has expired or going to expire within the next 12 months can send an application.

    Here are the requirements which you will need to register for a passport renewal.

    How to Apply online

    • Visit the website https://onlinemrp.dgip.gov.pk/
    • Go to Apply option and click Renew Your Passport
    • Click on the “Get Started” button
    • Register your account

    If you are in Pakistan, you will receive a code on SMS and email for registration purposes.

    If you are residing abroad, you will receive the required codes by email only.

    • Create an application for the renewal of your machine-readable passport and fill up the details.
    • Provide your eligible address for passport delivery.
    • Pay Fee through a Credit Card/Debit Card.
    • Provide the required personal details.
    • Provide your present and permanent addresses.
    • Upload your photograph.
    • Upload the supporting documents required by the application.
    • Download the form, capture the 4 fingerprints asked by the system.
    • Set the scanner at 600 DPI, JPEG/JPG, and Grayscale. Scan and upload the form.
    • Review the information you provided, sign the declaration, and then submit the application.

    Important notes which not to be missed by applicants

    Users already registered in the Pak-identity system can log in from their registered Pak-identity “Username” and “Password.”

    The authority has no refund policy against any application initiated/submitted for issuance of a machine-readable passport. The applicant is requested to carefully review the information and guidelines provided on the website.

    Currently, the home delivery option is only available in a few countries.

    You can contact the authority if you face any issues regarding filling up the application.

  • PM Khan wants similar ECP scrutiny on bank accounts and funding of PPP, PMLN

    PM Khan wants similar ECP scrutiny on bank accounts and funding of PPP, PMLN

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday welcomed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) scrutiny of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) funding, money which he said came through donations from overseas Pakistanis.

    Taking to Twitter, the premier wrote, “I welcome ECP’s scrutiny of PTI’s funding through donations from Overseas Pakistanis. The more our accounts are scrutinised the more factual clarity will emerge for [the] nation to see how PTI is the only political party with proper donor base premised on proper political fundraising.”

    In another tweet, PM Khan said he looked forward to seeing similar ECP scrutiny on funding of the other two major political parties, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    His comments come a day after the report compiled by the scrutiny committee of the ECP noted that the ruling party had received funding from foreign nationals and companies, under-reported funds, and concealed dozens of its bank accounts.

    PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif criticising PM Khan said, “Truth has a strange way of exposing people. The facade of “Sadiq aur Ameen” has been shredded into pieces.”

    PPP Chairman took to Twitter and said, “Tax records reveal @ImranKhanPTI income increased more than 50 times since gaining power. Pakistan has become poorer but Imran is richer.”

  • Fawad shares numbers of Pakistanis working abroad

    Fawad shares numbers of Pakistanis working abroad

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has shared a list of numbers of Pakistanis working abroad on his official Twitter account.

    In a tweet, Fawad said, “Despite Covid-19, 1.1 million Pakistanis have got jobs abroad in three years. In the next two years, the government hopes that two million people will go abroad.”

    The list shows that most of the Pakistanis work in the Middle East and the United Kingdom (UK).

    A day earlier, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that all overseas Pakistanis will be voting for the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He claimed that 40 of Punjab’s and 80 constituencies of the country will be decided by overseas voters.

  • Expats protest, demand Pfizer vaccines ‘only’

    Expats protest, demand Pfizer vaccines ‘only’

    Several overseas Pakistanis protested outside the Mass Vaccination Centre at F-9 Park in Islamabad, on Monday. The expats demanded that they should only be administered the vaccine manufactured by Pfizer, reports The Express Tribune.

    The staff present at the vaccination centre stated that they could only administer the vaccine provided by the government which was not what the expats were demanding.

    As a result of this, expats protested by holding placards and demanded that the prime minister should ensure the availability of Pfizer vaccine for them.

    They maintained that Overseas Pakistanis are a source of billions of dollars coming into the country yet they are being humiliated over a vaccine. They demanded a date be announced for them so that they could get vaccinated.

    Earlier, it had issued guidelines that only a limited amount of Pfizer vaccine was available in Pakistan, therefore, only Haj pilgrims and student and work visa holders for foreign countries would be immunised with it.

  • ‘PM stands with the working class, not the elite’: Fawad Chaudhry

     Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry defended the prime minister’s remarks about envoys. “PM stands with the working class and not the elite.” PM Khan chastised Pakistani envoys recently over their missions’ indifferent behaviour towards the expat community.

    “If we can’t raise our voices for overseas Pakistanis, we don’t have any right to remain in government,” added Fawad Chaudhry.

    The minister stressed that Pakistan would have to uplift the working class to progress and to strengthen itself as a country. Fawad recalled that the PM had only instructed his ambassadors that the well-being and welfare of the overseas Pakistanis must be a priority.

    The information minister spoke about an incident involving an overseas Pakistani woman, saying that she was being subjected to unjust treatment over the past few years.

    “When she contacted an [Pakistani] embassy, she was told, ‘The police should take action against you for marrying thrice’,” said Chaudhry.

    Chaudhry said the prime minister had, on many occasions in the past, said he was proud of Pakistan’s ambassadors. He said a few embassies had “closed their doors” on overseas Pakistani labourers, adding that action should be taken against those found guilty.