The federal government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has decided to build an airport in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in response to long-standing demands from overseas Pakistanis.
This initiative follows growing support from the overseas Pakistani community, particularly those of Kashmiri origin residing in the United Kingdom. A letter from British Members of Parliament of Kashmiri descent has also emerged, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take swift action to meet this longstanding request.
In line with this development, the Airports Authority in Islamabad has advertised to hire a consultancy firm for the planning and design of the airport. Interested consultants are invited to participate in the tender process according to the official guidelines.
Meanwhile, the first-ever Overseas Pakistanis Convention is set to begin in Islamabad today. The convention aims to honor the valuable contributions of overseas Pakistanis to Pakistan’s economy. The government has given state guest status to the attendees of the event.
The convention will serve as a forum for overseas Pakistanis, government officials, and national institutions to collaborate and engage on key matters. To support this initiative, various government departments have established help desks at the venue to provide guidance and services under one roof.
In a video message, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving the issues faced by overseas Pakistanis and acknowledged their importance to the country. He emphasized that this convention marks the first of its kind and that the voices and suggestions of the diaspora will be taken seriously.
Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Awn Chaudhry also praised the dedication of overseas Pakistanis, stating that their hearts remain closely tied to the homeland and their contributions are vital for national progress.
