New portal aims for ‘brain drain reversal’

‘Naya Pakistan Calling’ aimed at diaspora keen to contribute to national development

The special assistant to the prime minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OP&HRD), Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, yesterday launched a web portal called ‘Naya Pakistan Calling’, aimed at securing the services and contributions of Pakistanis in the diaspora.

The portal will provide members of the diaspora in diverse fields a gateway through which they can share their professional skills and experiences Bukhari said during a ceremony to launch the Overseas Pakistan Foundation (OPF) office here.

Pakistani expatriates can submit their CVs on the portal and register themselves by selecting their area of interests where they intend to serve.

On the portal’s website, the government says Pakistanis in the diaspora will be involved in strategic decision-making by placing them as members of such boards, authorities, commissions, etc.

Bukhari reiterated the government’s resolve for maximum capitalisation of this resourceful segment, urging direct involvement of overseas Pakistanis in strategic decision-making with the aim to give them a sense of ownership in their ‘own’ country.

Terming the initiative ‘reversal’ of the brain drain, he said overseas Pakistanis would be given ownership under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Valuable asset

“From the very first day of this government,” Bukhari said, “we focused on maximum utilisation of this valuable asset, who left their homes and children behind, expecting better treatment on coming back in lieu of their huge contribution towards the country’s economic growth.”

He announced the opening of an ownership cell in the ministry by month-end to remove the diaspora’s sense of deprivation, which he said developed due to non-productive policies of the past regimes.

“This is a step in the right direction to provide a digital platform to Pakistani expatriates at this stage,” Bukhari said.