By Irfan Siddiqui
TOKYO: The Chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Syed Qamar Raza Shah, will arrive in Japan on March 27 for a four-day visit aimed at engaging with the Pakistani diaspora and addressing community concerns. The visit is being organized at the invitation of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Japan President Malik Noor Awan and well-known businessman and community figure Asad Nawaz.
During his stay, the OPF chairman is expected to meet members of the Pakistani community in several cities across Japan. The visit will include community gatherings and open forums where overseas Pakistanis will have the opportunity to present their concerns directly. These open sessions are intended to help the OPF leadership understand the challenges faced by expatriate Pakistanis and to provide immediate guidance and solutions wherever possible.
One of the key events of the visit will take place on March 29 in the city of Kashiwa, where a large gathering of the Pakistani community is expected at a local hotel. At the event, Syed Qamar Raza Shah will address the community and outline the initiatives being taken by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation to support Pakistanis living abroad. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss issues related to property matters in Pakistan, documentation, welfare services, and investment opportunities.
Syed Qamar Raza Shah currently serves as Chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, a government institution established to safeguard the interests and welfare of Pakistanis living overseas. The foundation works to provide services such as housing schemes, educational facilities, legal assistance, and support programs for the families of overseas workers.
Since assuming office as chairman, Shah has focused on strengthening the relationship between overseas Pakistanis and government institutions in Pakistan. His efforts include improving complaint resolution systems within OPF, expanding welfare programs, and encouraging overseas Pakistanis to contribute to Pakistan’s economic development through investment and business initiatives.
Community leaders in Japan have welcomed the visit, describing it as an important opportunity for direct dialogue between overseas Pakistanis and the leadership of OPF. Malik Noor Awan stated that the visit of the OPF chairman reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of expatriate Pakistanis. He expressed hope that the visit will help resolve long-standing issues faced by members of the Pakistani community in Japan.
Business leader Asad Nawaz also welcomed the visit, noting that stronger engagement between government institutions and overseas Pakistanis is essential. He said that overseas Pakistanis continue to play a significant role in supporting Pakistan’s economy through remittances and investment, and initiatives like this visit help strengthen trust and cooperation between the diaspora and the homeland.
Observers say the visit represents an important step toward improving communication between overseas Pakistanis and Pakistani institutions, ensuring that the voices of expatriates are heard and their concerns addressed effectively.
