Another promise fulfilled’: PM Shehbaz unveils major reforms for overseas Pakistanis

Another promise fulfilled’: PM Shehbaz unveils major reforms for overseas Pakistanis

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at modernising consular services for overseas Pakistanis, with government officials describing the measures as the fulfilment of another commitment made to the Pakistani diaspora.

The new initiatives are designed to make consular services faster, more transparent and more accessible through digitalisation and streamlined procedures.

The reforms include QR code-based complaint registration at Pakistani embassies, a simplified attestation process for Power of Attorney and property-related documents, a one-step Apostille attestation system, an evening shift at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, and a courier-based document attestation service.

The government is also integrating the databases of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), NADRA and the National Police Bureau to speed up document verification. In addition, a mobile application is being developed to enable digital verification of birth, death, marriage and family registration certificates, along with other official documents.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said overseas Pakistanis are a valuable national asset and reiterated his government’s commitment to providing efficient, transparent and citizen-friendly services for Pakistanis living abroad.

The reforms were welcomed by overseas Pakistanis, many of whom said the initiatives would help reduce delays and simplify access to essential consular services.