Chairman OPF Engages with Pakistani Community at Sharjah Social Centre
October 8, 2025
SHARJAH: Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Syed Qamar Raza, met with members of the Pakistani community at an interactive session hosted by the Pakistan Social Centre Sharjah. The event was organized by Mr. Khalid Hussain Chaudhry, President of the Centre, and attended by H.E. Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, as well as Community Welfare Attachés Imran Shahid and Junaid Murtaza.
A large number of community representatives, including officials from various Pakistani business councils, also participated in the gathering.
Promoting Dialogue and Community Welfare
Welcoming the Chairman, Mr. Khalid Chaudhry said the purpose of the session was to create an opportunity for overseas Pakistanis to directly interact with the OPF leadership and share their suggestions on community-related initiatives.
Community leaders appreciated the successful Overseas Pakistanis Convention held earlier this year in Pakistan and praised OPF’s continued commitment to the welfare of expatriates worldwide.
Chairman Highlights the Role of Overseas Pakistanis
Addressing the attendees, Syed Qamar Raza reaffirmed that overseas Pakistanis are a vital part of the nation’s growth and “remain very close to the hearts of Pakistan’s leadership.” He noted that remittances exceeding USD 38 billion annually from Pakistanis abroad significantly contribute to the country’s economy and urged expatriates to continue using legal remittance channels.
He also discussed several new initiatives for the welfare and education of overseas families. A comprehensive plan is being developed to meet the educational needs of Pakistani students in the UAE, ensuring better access to quality learning.
Government Support for Overseas Families
The Chairman revealed that, under the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a 5% quota in educational institutions and 5,000 seats in vocational and technical training programs under NAVTTC have been reserved for children of overseas Pakistanis.
He also highlighted the establishment of special courts to address property disputes faced by overseas Pakistanis, ensuring quicker and fairer resolutions.
Next Overseas Pakistanis Convention in April 2026
Syed Qamar Raza announced that the next Overseas Pakistanis Convention will be held in April 2026 in Pakistan. He credited the success of past conventions to the active participation of the overseas community and emphasized that such interactive sessions provide valuable feedback to shape future welfare policies.
“These dialogues help us understand the real challenges faced by our overseas citizens and develop more effective, lasting solutions,” he said.
