https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, July 16 (Alliance News):The Overseas Pakistanis Global Foundation (OPGF) and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) have agreed to enhance mutual cooperation for the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and the empowerment of young people through collaborative initiatives aimed at national development.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, and a delegation of the Overseas Pakistanis Global Foundation (OPGF) led by its Chairman Zaheer Akhtar Mehr.
The OPGF delegation included General Secretary Mian Athar Hafeez along with other senior members of the foundation.
During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of issues relating to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis, youth engagement, community development and the promotion of stronger institutional collaboration. They also exchanged views on enhancing opportunities for overseas Pakistanis to contribute more effectively to Pakistan’s socio-economic progress.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan appreciated the valuable role played by overseas Pakistanis in strengthening the national economy through remittances, investments and the transfer of knowledge and expertise. He said the government highly values the contributions of Pakistanis living abroad and remains committed to introducing initiatives that facilitate their engagement with national development.
He highlighted that the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme is working to create greater educational, employment, entrepreneurship and skills development opportunities for young Pakistanis, enabling them to play an active role in the country’s economic transformation.
Rana Mashhood said collaboration with organizations representing overseas Pakistanis would help bridge the gap between the Pakistani diaspora and young people at home. He noted that overseas professionals possess valuable international experience that can contribute significantly to innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer and human resource development in Pakistan.
The PMYP chairman also stressed the importance of creating platforms that connect overseas Pakistani professionals with youth through mentorship programmes, capacity-building initiatives and investment opportunities. Such partnerships, he said, would help equip young Pakistanis with the skills needed to compete in an increasingly globalized economy.
Chairman OPGF Zaheer Akhtar Mehr briefed Rana Mashhood on the foundation’s mission and activities aimed at serving overseas Pakistanis and strengthening their relationship with the homeland. He said OPGF has consistently worked to safeguard the interests of the Pakistani diaspora while promoting unity, cultural harmony and meaningful engagement between overseas communities and national institutions.
He emphasized that overseas Pakistanis have always stood by the country during difficult times through record remittances, humanitarian assistance and investments. Their continued participation in Pakistan’s development, he said, requires stronger institutional support and regular engagement with government organizations.
Zaheer Akhtar Mehr expressed OPGF’s willingness to work closely with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme in launching initiatives that encourage overseas Pakistani youth to remain connected with Pakistan’s educational, economic and cultural landscape.
He said collaborative programmes focusing on youth leadership, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, volunteerism and professional networking could create new opportunities for young Pakistanis both at home and abroad.
General Secretary Mian Athar Hafeez highlighted the importance of establishing sustainable mechanisms to address issues faced by overseas Pakistanis while also promoting stronger people-to-people ties between the diaspora and Pakistan. He said overseas Pakistanis possess immense potential to contribute not only financially but also through knowledge sharing, investment and community development initiatives.The participants also discussed the possibility of organizing joint seminars, conferences, youth exchange programmes and awareness campaigns to strengthen engagement with overseas Pakistani communities across different regions of the world.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination and exploring new avenues of cooperation for the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and the empowerment of youth. They agreed that greater collaboration between government institutions and overseas Pakistani organizations would contribute to sustainable development, economic growth and stronger international linkages for Pakistan.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to continue dialogue and transform mutual understanding into practical initiatives that benefit overseas Pakistanis, young people and the country as a whole.
