ROLE OF EXPATRIATES IN DEVELOPMENT OF PAKISTAN

Pakistan is among those countries whose large population lives abroad. These expatriate Pakistanis play an important role in the development of the country. Another term common in use is Non-Resident Pakistanis or NRPs. They not only send billions of dollars every year in form of foreign exchange remittances but they also are instrumental in transfer of latest technologies in various fields and improvement of basic infrastructure in Pakistan. Some countries now are home of third or even fourth generation of Pakistani expatriates. Great Britain was the first country of attraction for Non-Resident Pakistanis and this migration dates back to mid 1950s. It was followed by many other important Western countries like USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Netherlands in 1960s. The advent of 1970s saw mass migration to Norway where Non-Resident Pakistanis are the largest single community outside native Norwegians. All these countries are now home to third, and in some cases fourth generation of Pakistani expatriates. Now citizens of these countries of Pakistani origin are placed at very important places. They are members of parliament, judges, leading scientists, doctors, accountants and engineers, and last but not the least very successful entrepreneurs in these countries. One of bright example is Haq Nawaz Akhtar Chaudhry – Vice President of Norwegian Parliament (The Storting). Another important destination for Non-Resident Pakistanis is the Middle East. Since 1970s, Non-Resident Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and other Middle Eastern and Gulf countries are sending billions of dollars every year to Pakistan.

Statistics reveal that remittances by Non-Resident Pakistanis is the second largest source of foreign exchange coming in to Pakistan, following exports of commodities and services in the international market.  According to State Bank of Pakistan’s figures for the fiscal year of 2011-12, foreign exchange remittances exceed 1.1 billion dollars every month, amounting to 13 billion dollars in a year. These remittances are backbone in sustenance of Pakistan’s economy.  The growth is absolutely incredible, not just in terms of dollar figures, but in particular due to the massive percentage data that was registered.

As the phenomenon of immigration from Pakistan to the developed world is ever growing since last three or four decades, people of Pakistan take every possible effort for immigration to developed countries like USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and other European countries. These countries provide permanent residence and eventually citizenship to these immigrant Pakistanis. When we say every possible effort, it includes both legal and illegal ways for immigrating to developed countries. Illegal human trafficking was on rise in past decades, but now gradually falling down due to strict measures taken by respective governments. The international borders are no longer as permeable as they were in the past. Illegal human traffickers are killed or caught and subsequently deported back to Pakistan.

In the wake of very difficult illegal human trafficking, the best possible and honorable way of immigration remains legal ways for immigrating to the developed countries. Many developed countries offer legal immigration to skilled professionals, businessmen including investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people, and also to students and professionals with exceptional exhibition in their respective fields. There are many immigration consulting companies operating in Pakistan and some of them offer very high level of professional advise to all those who are seeking immigration to developed countries like USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and other European countries. The corporate data and analysis shows that among these professional immigration consulting companies, Future Concern Associates (Pvt) Limited tops the list of all immigration consulting companies in terms of sending highest number of people abroad in last 17 years. Statistics reveal that Future Concern Associates (Pvt) Limited helps thousands of Pakistanis every year by providing right consultancy in all areas of immigration including skilled professionals, businessmen including investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people, and also to students and professionals with exceptional exhibition in their respective fields. FutureConcern Associates (Pvt) Limited is a world renowned immigration consultant and heads a team of high-class professionals. This is one of the reason why illegal human trafficking is being gradually giving way to professional immigration companies like Future Concern Associates (Pvt) Limited.  As the role of Pakistani expatriates increase in the development of Pakistan, subsequently direct role of immigration consultants providing professional advice like. No wonder foreign exchange remittances by Non-Resident Pakistanis hit 20 billion dollars per year figure within next few years.