ISLAMABAD, April 2: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Wednesday said overseas Pakistanis were important to the country as they not only earned foreign exchange to strengthen the economy but also acted as ambassadors of goodwill.

The prime minister was talking to a US-based Pakistani businessman and community leader, Rashid A. Chaudhry, who met him at Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.

The prime minister said the government was giving high priority to the welfare and wellbeing of overseas Pakistanis. He also underlined the need for greater investment by the Pakistani expatriates in the country.

Rashid Chaudhry told the prime minister that he recently met nine US senators and discussed the issue of registration, apprising them of the difficulties faced by the Pakistani national.

He also exchanged views with the prime minister on matters regarding welfare of Pakistani community in the US.

OPF HOUSING SCHEME: Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Mian Abdul Sattar Laleka attended a briefing on Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) housing scheme at Chittarpari.

According to a press release, the housing scheme is situated close to Mirpur and Mangla Dam.

The minister was informed by the authorities that development work on the housing colony had been completed.

The scheme was developed in three phases. It stretches over 5,643 kanal having 3,081 plots, out of which 2,544 have already been allotted to overseas Pakistanis.

There are 187 commercial plots, while several plots are reserved for schools, hospitals and dispensaries.