Team set up to probe Pakistanis’ complaints in Saudi Arabia

Published May 2, 2021
This file photo shows Pakistan Day celebrations at the Embassy in Riyadh. — Photo courtesy embassy website
This file photo shows Pakistan Day celebrations at the Embassy in Riyadh. — Photo courtesy embassy website

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC) Ahmed Yar Hiraj has constituted a four-member team to inquire into failure of some officers and staff at Pakistan’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia to provide various services to the overseas Pakistanis.

The team, headed by PMIC member Syed Akif and including senior officers from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Overseas Pakistanis, was constituted after Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the complaints of diaspora in Saudi Arabia.

According to a PMIC press release, the team among other issues will hold an inquiry into the following issues: inefficiency in provision of various services to overseas Pakistanis; extorting and fleecing expatriate workers and overseas Pakistanis, causing delays on one pretext or the other, resulting in extraction under duress; examination of existing complaint resolution mechanism, and failure to resolve problems of the Pakistani community; examination of standard operating procedures in place to provide services and as to whether the SOPs provided relief or resulted in impediments in service delivery; and recommendations to improve the provision of services to the overseas Pakistanis and expatriate workers based in Saudi Arabia.

The PMIC has invited all overseas Pakistanis, especially those in Saudi Arabia, who have any information about the issues, to contact Iftikhar Ahmed, Deputy Director, PMIC, PMO, Islamabad, by May 5 through regular mail or WhatsApp calls and messages at +923202546382 and email: complaints.ops@gmail.com.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.