Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said, “The success of our achievements will depend upon our Unity, Faith and Discipline”. In this simple sentence, Quaid-e-Azam has given us the clear direction which can make Pakistan a success. Unfortunately, we failed to uphold these golden principals through which we could achieve the objectives for which this country was created.
Pakistani Citizens working abroad are certainly a big asset for the economic growth of the country as they make a huge contribution in country’s foreign exchange resources. They are also filling the global human resource gap and contributing for the development of world economies with their skills and hard work in different countries.
During the past 15 years, I had the chance to live abroad among Overseas Pakistanis and observed that Pakistan’s this most important community is not facing various problems and difficulties in their daily life abroad only but it is pity to say that these Overseas Pakistanis are even deprived from the basic rights in their own home country as well.
I observed that there are many Community Associations/NGOs of Overseas Pakistanis, working locally on a small level in their respective countries of residence. I do acknowledge that most of these organisations are doing a good job for the welfare of Overseas Pakistanis and to solve their day to day problems locally but I realized that 80 million Overseas Pakistanis have lacked a voice that articulates and defends the role played by them for the development of Pakistan’s and World economies. A voice that ensures all legal rights are equally acknowledged for Overseas Pakistanis like other people residing within Pakistan and in their respective countries of residence. Hence, I founded Overseas Pakistani Citizens’ Organisation (OPCO) to address the void.
I do understand that the views and ideas we champion today face no shortage of challenges. Our views are out of fashion with elite opinion and policymakers in Pakistan. We are challenged by so called leaders and the elite who are too often captured by their own special interests and feel threatened by the institutions of a free society that we promote – the rule of law, equal education & health facilities for everyone and poverty alleviation in the country.
But I have firm belief that the determination and commitment expressed by my team and thousands of Overseas Pakistanis Citizens will certainly provide strength and power to OPCO, to overcome said challenges and to reform Pakistan into a peaceful, educated, healthy and prosperous society. Please join us to achieve the said goals by adopting the above said principles of “Unity, Faith and Discipline” – the spirit of a Glorious Pakistan.
Ghulam Nabi Shahid
Chairman
Overseas Pakistani Citizens’ Organisation (OPCO)