By
Ch Asif Mahmood
Board of Governors O.P.F
Established under the Emigration Ordinance of 1979 and formally registered on 8 July 1979, the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) is a not‑for‑profit public sector entity that operates under the Government of Pakistan via the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development . Its supreme governing body is the Board of Governors, responsible for strategic direction and oversight .
Mission & Purpose
OPF’s mission is to ensure the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and their families, particularly in rehabilitation upon their return to Pakistan, through resource generation and stakeholder coordination . Serving today’s global diaspora—comprising as many as 9 million Pakistanis—OPF seeks to address challenges and extend support across multiple dimensions .
Core Services & Initiatives
- Airport Facilitation & Ambulance Service
At all international airports across Pakistan, OPF operates “One Window Facilitation Desks” (OWFDs), which offer round‑the‑clock assistance to overseas passengers—helping with arrivals, departures, lost baggage, and special assistance for the elderly or ill. Free ambulance services assist critically ill or deceased overseas Pakistanis from airport to their native towns . - Financial Assistance & Funeral Grants
Under a scheme dating back to 1980–81, OPF provides Rs. 400,000 to families of deceased and Rs. 300,000 to those of disabled overseas Pakistanis within a year of incident—on a first‑come, first‑served basis. It also offers a funeral grant of Rs. 25,000 for the bereaved families . Recently, 513 destitute families received cheques totaling Rs. 205.2 million, underscoring the foundation’s lasting commitment (cumulative disbursements now stand at Rs. 3.96 billion to 15,821 families) . - Housing Schemes
OPF has established housing projects in prime locations across Pakistan—including Islamabad, Lahore, Gujrat, Peshawar, Dadu, Larkana, and Mirpur (AJK)—with thousands of residential plots allotted to overseas Pakistanis . - Education & Health
OPF runs more than 24 schools offering preschool to secondary education, through both local SSC and international GCE O/A Level programs. In 2019, Chinese language was added to the curriculum . Additionally, OPF operates an eye hospital in D.G. Khan and organizes free eye camps in areas with high concentrations of overseas Pakistani returnees . - Reintegration & Skill Development
In collaboration with Germany’s GIZ, the Pakistani‑German Facilitation & Reintegration Centre (PGFRC) has been set up in Lahore with an advisory desk in Islamabad. It supports returning workers with technical/vocational training, entrepreneurship support, psychosocial counseling, and job placement advice . - Advisory & Complaints Mechanisms
The Overseas Pakistani Advisory Council (OPAC) serves as a consultative body of notable overseas Pakistanis to help OPF tailor its services and policy. It includes representation from key regions and engages monthly with OPF via internal committees . OPF also offers a complaints cell for assistance and grievance redressal through its online system .
Leadership: Chairman Syed Qamar Raza
In July 2024, the federal cabinet appointed Syed Qamar Raza, a prominent British‑Pakistani businessman, as Chairman of OPF’s Board of Governors. Raza had previously served on the board and held leadership roles in UK‑Pakistan trade forums including as secretary general and president of the UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industries (UKPCCI), vice president of Conservative Friends of Pakistan, and founding chairman of the World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis .
In April 2025, OPF’s BoG was reconstituted, reaffirming Syed Qamar Raza as Chairman along with new independent members—Chaudhary Asif Mehmood, Shaheen Khalid Butt, Shamsher Ali Rao, Jahanzaib Baig, Onaza Ehsan Butt, and Mohammad Kamran Khan .
Since his appointment, Raza has actively expanded OPF’s welfare activities—personally distributing Rs. 205.2 million in cheques to 513 destitute families and reaffirming his commitment to support overseas Pakistanis and their families .
Why OPF and Its Leadership Matter
OPF is unique in the Pakistani government’s landscape—serving as a direct bridge to the diaspora. Its multifaceted offerings—covering emergency aid, housing, healthcare, education, and reintegration support—address tangible needs of millions spread across the globe. The institution ensures that overseas Pakistanis and their families remain connected, supported, and empowered, even at times of crisis.
Under Chairman Syed Qamar Raza, OPF has seen rejuvenated leadership grounded in diaspora engagement, global networks, and a renewed promise to prioritize the welfare of overseas nationals. His international experience and outreach amplify the foundation’s mission, embodying why OPF remains a beacon for Pakistanis abroad.
