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Power Crisis as Electricity Shortfall
CategoriesNews Dams Power/Energy

Pakistan Plunges into Power Crisis as Electricity Shortfall Reaches 6,500MW

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is currently grappling with one of its most acute electricity crises in recent years, as the nationwide power shortfall has surged to 6,500 megawatts, plunging millions of households and businesses into prolonged darkness. 

According to official data, total electricity demand has climbed to approximately 22,000MW, while the national grid is generating only 15,400MW, a gap that has translated into 8 to 16 hours of outages in various parts of the country. The energy mix currently comprises thermal, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, and bagasse sources, with thermal contributing the largest share at 9,250MW.

Two primary factors are driving the shortfall. First, hydropower generation has taken a significant hit due to reduced water releases from the country’s dams, with output falling by nearly 2,000MW during peak nighttime hours. Second, gas supply to thermal power plants has been sharply curtailed following a halt in liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo shipments, which are not expected to resume until early May. Only limited volumes of indigenous gas are currently being diverted to the power sector.

The worst-affected regions include areas under the Multan Electric Power Company, where residents report near-routine outages of 12 to 16 hours. Major cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Kasur, are experiencing recurring power cuts of 3 to 8 hours, contradicting official claims of a minimal urban shortfall.

The Power Division issued a public apology and urged citizens to adopt energy-saving practices, particularly during nighttime hours. Authorities expressed optimism that the situation would ease as the dam water levels rise and RLNG supplies resume.

Meanwhile, a petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court challenging unannounced load shedding, as businesses report mounting losses and households struggle with the onset of summer heat. With peak demand season still ahead, the crisis shows little sign of immediate resolution.

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CategoriesNews Economy Investment

IMF Cuts Pakistan Growth Forecast to 3.5%, Raises Inflation Outlook to 8.4%

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its growth forecast for Pakistan. For the fiscal year 2026–27, the Fund now expects the economy to grow by 3.5 percent, down from its earlier estimate of 4.1 percent. The figures were published in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook report at its spring meetings.

For the current fiscal year, 2025–26, the growth estimate stays at 3.6 percent. The inflation forecast, however, has been raised. Prices are now expected to rise by 7.2 percent this year, up from 6.3 percent previously. For next year, inflation is forecast at 8.4 percent, compared to an earlier estimate of 7 percent.

The IMF linked the weaker outlook mainly to the conflict in the Middle East. The conflict has pushed oil prices higher and heightened global economic uncertainty. Pakistan imports around 90 percent of its energy from the region, which makes it more vulnerable to these developments than many other countries.

On trade and external payments, Pakistan’s current account deficit is expected to be about 0.4 percent of GDP this fiscal year. That figure is projected to rise to around 0.9 percent of GDP, roughly five billion US dollars, in fiscal year 2026–27. The IMF’s worst-case scenario assumes oil prices between $100 and $120 per barrel.

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CategoriesNews Economy Geopolitics Investment Trade

Pakistan Opens Iran Transit Route for Central Asia Exports

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has dispatched its first commercial export consignment to Uzbekistan through a newly activated land route via Iran. The shipment, consisting of refrigerated trucks carrying frozen beef, departed from Karachi and crossed into Iran at the Gabd-Rimdan border point.

The transit is being conducted under the TIR convention, an international customs framework that allows goods to move across borders with minimal regulatory delay. The consignment is currently en route to Tashkent.

The route bypasses Afghanistan, offering Pakistan a more reliable alternative for accessing landlocked Central Asian markets. The Gabd-Rimdan crossing sits near Gwadar, effectively connecting the deep-sea port to regional trade networks.

Officials view the development as part of Pakistan’s broader push to expand its export footprint under the CPEC framework. Central Asia represents a combined market of over 70 million consumers.

The inaugural shipment is expected to strengthen trade ties between Islamabad, Tehran, and Tashkent, while boosting the commercial role of both Karachi and Gwadar ports.

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CategoriesNews Economy Investment Trade

PSX Plunges 4,800 Points as US-Iran Talks Collapse in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 Index dropped sharply on Monday morning following the breakdown of US-Iran peace talks held in Islamabad. At 9:34 AM, the index stood at 162,396.21, down 4,795.16 points or 2.87% from the previous close.

Selling pressure was broad-based, affecting key sectors including automobiles, cement, commercial banking, oil and gas exploration, power generation, and refining. Notable index-heavy stocks trading in the red included ARL, HUBCO, MARI, OGDC, POL, PPL, PSO, SSGC, SNGPL, and WAFI.

The market decline followed US Vice President JD Vance’s announcement on Sunday that the American negotiating team was departing Pakistan after 21 hours of talks failed to produce a deal. Vance stated Iran had declined to accept American terms, which included a commitment not to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf acknowledged no agreement was expected from a single round of negotiations, citing an ongoing trust deficit between the two sides.

The outcome reversed gains recorded during the previous week, when the KSE-100 had risen 1,673.87 points or 1.01%, buoyed by investor optimism over the then-ongoing diplomatic process.

Global markets also reacted negatively. Brent crude futures surged approximately 8% to $103 per barrel, while S&P 500 futures fell around 1%. The euro slipped roughly 0.5% against the dollar. Asian markets declined modestly, with Japan’s Nikkei down 0.4%, South Korea’s KOSPI falling 1.4%, and Australia’s ASX 200 slipping 0.6%.

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US-Iran talks
CategoriesNews Current Affairs Geopolitics Trending

A Make-or-Break Moment: Inside the US-Iran Peace Talks in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, April 11, 2026 — Pakistan’s capital became the centre of global diplomacy as senior delegations from Washington and Tehran gathered for high-stakes US-Iran peace talks, widely described by analysts as the most consequential negotiations in decades. The meeting followed a Pakistan-brokered truce that halted a devastating six-week conflict and reopened diplomatic channels between long-time adversaries.

The war, which began on February 28, lasted roughly 40 days and involved extensive US-Israeli aerial bombardment of Iranian targets. The conflict resulted in thousands of casualties and pushed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor responsible for nearly 20 percent of global oil and gas transit, to the brink of disruption.

The ceasefire, achieved after weeks of quiet diplomacy in which Pakistan mediates ceasefire efforts between the two sides, created the conditions for the US-Iran talks, Islamabad framework.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the talks as a decisive moment. “I ask all of you to pray that these talks are successful and countless lives are saved and the world shall see peace,” he said in a televised address, according to The Express Tribune’s report.

Delegations Arrived Amid Global Attention

United States

United States

The United States delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, marking the first visit by a sitting US vice president to Pakistan since 2011. The delegation also included Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to The Express Tribune’s and Bloomberg. Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, received the delegation at Nur Khan Airbase.

President Trump, speaking from Washington, expressed optimism while simultaneously warning of renewed military action should the talks collapse, saying: “We’re going to find out in about 24 hours.”

Before departure, Vance expressed cautious optimism regarding the US-Iran peace talks. “We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive. If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand,” he told reporters, according to The Express Tribune.

Iran

 

Iran

Iran’s delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived late on Friday night. Tehran entered the US-Iran talks Islamabad with a firm negotiating position, demanding sanctions relief, access to frozen financial assets, and security guarantees against further military operations, according to Bloomberg and Al Jazeera.

Iran also called for oversight of the Strait of Hormuz, compensation for war damages, and inclusion of Lebanon in any ceasefire arrangement, conditions analysts described as more expansive than those presented before the conflict began. 

Pakistan Mediates Ceasefire and Hosts Negotiations

Pakistan’s emergence as a mediator followed weeks of quiet diplomacy. Islamabad maintained backchannel contacts with Tehran while coordinating with Washington and consulting regional actors, including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt. These efforts helped bring both sides to the negotiating table and shaped the format of the US-Iran peace talks, according to an analysis published by The Friday Times.

Pakistan’s civil-military leadership adopted a layered mediation structure. Prime Minister Sharif provided political authority, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar managed the diplomatic process, and senior security officials engaged at the strategic level.

Analysts noted that Pakistan mediates ceasefire diplomacy, combining pressure and reassurance. Islamabad warned against escalation while maintaining neutrality, enabling both sides to accept a pause without conceding.

Islamabad Under Tight Security

Pakistan ramps up security as Islamabad

The US-Iran talks Islamabad were held in Islamabad’s Red Zone, with heavy security deployed across the capital. Roads were sealed, barriers erected, and a dedicated media centre established for international coverage, according to The Express Tribune. Officials indicated negotiations could continue for up to 15 days, beginning with shuttle diplomacy before direct exchanges.

Nuclear Programme at the Core of US-Iran Peace Talks

The nuclear dispute remained the most contentious issue. Washington demanded a permanent halt to uranium enrichment and disposal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, including approximately 460 kilograms of 60 percent enriched material, according to Bloomberg. Tehran rejected a zero-enrichment proposal and insisted on its right to peaceful nuclear development.

Iran argued that any Islamabad Accord must go beyond the 2015 nuclear agreement, which it described as a baseline rather than a ceiling.

The Strait of Hormuz Became Critical Bargaining Point

The Strait of Hormuz emerged as one of the most urgent issues in the US-Iran peace talks. Iran’s effective closure during the conflict disrupted tanker movement and threatened global energy markets, according to Bloomberg. 

Iran proposed long-term oversight of the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington demanded an unconditional reopening, a disagreement that analysts said illustrated the global economic stakes in the negotiations.

Lebanon Crisis Complicated Diplomacy

The situation in Lebanon threatened to derail the talks. Israel launched widespread strikes following the ceasefire, killing more than 300 people in a single day. Iran demanded that Lebanon be included in negotiations, while Washington maintained that the issue fell outside the current ceasefire terms, according to Al Jazeera.

Competing Frameworks

The United States presented a 15-point proposal focusing on the rollback of nuclear activity, missile limits and regional posture adjustments. Iran offered a 10-point plan prioritizing security guarantees, early sanctions relief and preservation of deterrence capabilities, according to Bloomberg.

The sequencing dispute, concessions first versus relief first, remained the biggest obstacle. Diplomats said bridging that gap would determine whether the US-Iran peace talks could produce a lasting Islamabad Accord.

Global Stakes

The US-Iran peace talks represented the highest-level diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. A successful Islamabad Accord could reopen global energy flows, stabilise Middle Eastern security architecture and reshape regional geopolitics, according to Bloomberg. Failure risked renewed conflict and volatility in oil markets linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

For Pakistan, the stakes were equally significant. Success would cement Islamabad’s role as a credible global mediator and demonstrate how Pakistan mediates ceasefire diplomacy and influence international outcomes, as reflected in reporting by The Express Tribune and analysis by The Friday Times.

As negotiations unfolded, diplomats acknowledged that diplomacy had entered its most delicate phase. Whether the US-Iran talks Islamabad would yield a durable Islamabad Accord remained uncertain, but the outcome promised far-reaching consequences for regional stability, global energy markets and the future of US-Iran relations.

Global Significance

The Islamabad Talks marked the highest-level engagement between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with implications extending far beyond the two countries.

A successful agreement could reopen global energy flows, stabilise the Middle East, and reshape regional geopolitics. Failure, however, risked renewed conflict, higher energy prices, and wider instability.

For Pakistan, success would strengthen its position as a credible global mediator, while failure would expose the limits of its diplomatic influence. As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, Pakistan would “put in its best efforts,” but the outcome ultimately rested with Washington and Tehran.

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Petroleum Prices by Rs135
CategoriesNews Economy Transport

Pakistan Slashes Petroleum Prices by Rs135 as Global Oil Markets Stabilise

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a significant reduction of Rs135 per litre in high-speed diesel (HSD) and Rs12 per litre in petrol prices on Friday, effective April 11, 2026, extending much-needed financial relief to millions of consumers grappling with sustained inflationary pressures.

Following the announcement, the Petroleum Division officially notified the revised rates, bringing HSD down from Rs520.35 to Rs385.54 per litre and petrol from Rs378.41 to Rs366.58 per litre, the steepest single-day diesel price cut in recent memory.

The Prime Minister attributed the decision to a decline in global oil prices, describing it as his “moral and political responsibility” to pass the full benefit on to the public. Notably, he disclosed that he had been advised to retain a portion of the savings to offset the Rs129 billion subsidy extended by the government in preceding weeks, a proposal he firmly rejected.

The announcement’s timing is particularly significant for Pakistan’s agricultural sector, as it coincides with the ongoing wheat harvest season. A reduction in diesel prices is expected to lower farm mechanisation costs directly, helping safeguard both farmer incomes and food affordability for the general public. Broader economic benefits are also anticipated, with logistics and public transport costs likely to ease in the near term.

The calming of global energy markets follows a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, brokered with Pakistan’s diplomatic involvement. The truce has temporarily eased concerns over supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil trade.

It is worth noting that existing levies remain intact, including a petroleum levy of Rs80.61 per litre on petrol and a Rs2.50 per litre climate support levy across multiple fuel types. The government has not indicated how long the revised prices will remain in effect.

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CategoriesNews Current Affairs Economy Geopolitics Investment Trade Trending

Pakistan Emerges as Key Mediator in the US–Iran Peace Talks | All Eyes on Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, April 10, 2026 —Pakistan stands at the centre of one of the most consequential diplomatic efforts in decades as Islamabad prepares to host the US Iran peace talks, positioning the country as the primary intermediary in efforts to stabilise a conflict that disrupts global energy supplies and threatens wider regional escalation. The emerging framework, increasingly referred to by diplomats as the Islamabad Accord, follows a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire after weeks of intensive shuttle diplomacy.

The US Iran talks come after the US-Iran ceasefire announced on April 7–8, which emerged following sustained diplomatic engagement led by Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership. Islamabad facilitates backchannel communication, relays proposals, hosts regional meetings and coordinates with partners including China and Saudi Arabia. The agreement pauses hostilities shortly before a U.S. escalation deadline, underscoring the urgency surrounding the diplomatic push.

Analysts describe the development as a major diplomatic breakthrough. South Asia expert Michael Kugelman calls the mediation “one of Pakistan’s biggest diplomatic wins in years,” according to a France 24 report.

Conflict Triggered Global Energy Shock After Strait of Hormuz Closure

strait of hormuz

The crisis begins on February 28, 2026, when coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes target Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure. Iran responds with missile and drone attacks and moves to close the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supply flows.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz immediately disrupts global markets. The International Energy Agency warns the situation represents “the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market,” according to the IEA Oil Market Report cited in the document.

According to IEA data referenced in the report:

  • About 20 million barrels per day of oil are disrupted
  • Brent crude rises close to $120 per barrel
  • Analysts warn prices could reach $200 per barrel, according to Bloomberg
  • Global LNG supply drops around 20 percent
  • Gulf food imports fall by roughly 70 percent
  • Global GDP risk reaches −1.3 percentage points, according to Dallas Fed research

These figures illustrate the global stakes surrounding the US Iran peace talks and the urgency behind the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire.

Jet fuel prices double while U.S. gasoline prices rise about 30 percent, according to reporting cited from Time and industry data referenced in the report.

Pakistan Emerges as Only Credible Mediator

Pakistan mediates the US Iran crisis largely because of its unique diplomatic positioning. Islamabad maintains relations simultaneously with Washington, Tehran, Riyadh and Beijing, a rare diplomatic victory.

Pakistan shares a 900-kilometre border with Iran, maintains defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia and retains longstanding ties with the United States. It is also widely regarded as China’s closest regional partner, according to analysis cited from Al-Monitor.

Pakistan also has significant domestic and economic stakes:

  • Over 20 million Shia Muslims
  • Approximately 5 million workers in Gulf states
  • Annual remittances of $38.3 billion
  • Heavy reliance on energy imports through the Strait of Hormuz

Pakistan also emphasises neutrality. Officials condemn attacks by all sides and rule out military participation against Iran, strengthening Islamabad’s credibility as mediator, according to reporting cited from Al Jazeera.

Six Weeks of Shuttle Diplomacy Leads to Islamabad Accord

Pakistan launches diplomatic outreach immediately after the conflict begins.

On March 3, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar tells Pakistan’s Senate Islamabad is ready to facilitate US Iran talks, according to Al Jazeera.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Saudi leadership in Jeddah on March 12, expressing solidarity while reassuring Iran. The move helps prevent further escalation, according to reporting referenced from CNN.

Regional foreign ministers meet in Riyadh on March 19 and again in Islamabad on March 29, aligning diplomatic positions for the US Iran peace talks.

Pakistan relays a 15-point U.S. ceasefire proposal to Tehran on March 25. Iran rejects the proposal but submits its own conditions, keeping negotiations alive.

On March 31, Pakistan and China announced a joint five-point peace initiative calling for cessation of hostilities and restoration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, reinforcing momentum toward the Islamabad Accord.

Further negotiations follow. Pakistan presents a two-phase ceasefire framework in early April. The exchange culminates in the US-Iran ceasefire announced April 7–8, according to reporting from CNN, Al Jazeera and France 24.

Historic Significance of US Iran Peace Talks

US Iran peace talks

Analysts describe the US Iran peace talks in Islamabad as unprecedented. The mediation marks the first time Pakistan brokers a ceasefire between adversaries during active escalation, according to expert assessments cited from Al Jazeera.

The engagement also represents the highest-level US Iran talks since 1979, according to Time.

Economic Stakes Linked to Ceasefire

The US-Iran ceasefire and potential Islamabad Accord carry major economic implications.

A diplomatic breakthrough could revive the Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline. The project:

  • Length: 2,775 km
  • Gas flow: 21.5 million m³/day
  • Power generation: 4,000 MW
  • Savings: $2.3 billion annually
  • Penalty risk avoided: $18 billion

These figures come from IPRI Pakistan research cited in the report.

The conflict also threatens remittances from Gulf-based Pakistani workers. About five million workers send home $38.3 billion annually, according to Time.

Global Reaction to Pakistan Mediates Ceasefire

International leaders welcome the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire.The United Nations calls for compliance with terms. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomes de-escalation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls the deal a “moment of relief.”

These reactions are cited from international coverage referenced in the report, including Reuters and Al Jazeera.

China says it works actively to help bring about the US-Iran ceasefire, while Iran confirms acceptance of the agreement.

Islamabad at the Centre of Global Diplomacy

Islamabad accord

Pakistan mediates the crisis at a moment when global markets remain sensitive to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and regional escalation risks. The Pakistan-brokered ceasefire pauses what analysts describe as the largest oil disruption in modern history and positions Islamabad as a central diplomatic actor.

The US Iran peace talks, expected to shape the emerging Islamabad Accord 2026, now place Pakistan at the centre of global diplomacy; with energy security, regional stability and geopolitical alignment all hinging on the outcome.

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Kachehry Chowk Project
CategoriesNews Construction Developments Economy

Construction Material Prices Drive Kachehry Chowk Project Cost Up by Rs3 Billion

RAWALPINDI: The ambitious District Kachehry underpass, overhead bridge, and pedestrian bridges project in Rawalpindi has witnessed significant cost escalation, with the budget rising from Rs16 billion to Rs19 billion. Authorities attribute the sharp increase to skyrocketing prices of key construction materials, including cement, sand, and steel, which have placed considerable financial strain on the infrastructure initiative.

In addition to the cost overrun, the project has suffered a 30-day delay in its scheduled completion. Eid holidays and persistent heavy rainfall over the past three weeks have disrupted construction timelines, pushing the expected completion date from April 30 to May 30, 2026. Preparations for the inauguration ceremony have consequently been suspended until further notice.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak has taken strict notice of the setback and issued firm directives to the concerned authorities to ensure the project is completed by May 30 without any further extension. During a recent site visit alongside Frontier Works Organisation officials, the commissioner reviewed construction progress firsthand and received detailed briefings from engineers and contractors.

Current figures indicate that overall construction progress stands at 76 percent, with work being carried out in double shifts to compensate for lost time. Physical progress at Kachehry intersection stands at 74 percent, 72 percent at Iftikhar Janjua, and 71 percent at Annex Chowk. Utility ducts are 83 percent complete, pedestrian bridges 50 percent, the tube well 96 percent, and the retaining wall 98 percent complete.

The project has also sparked controversy following the closure of the 200-year-old main gate of the district courts and adjoining access routes serving multiple judicial institutions. Judges, lawyers, and court staff have formally protested the closure, prompting the matter to be escalated to the High Court. Authorities have cited security concerns as justification, while legal community representatives have deemed alternative routes unsafe.

Launched on November 3, 2025, the project remains on course for its revised May 2026 deadline.

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Gold Surges Rs15,700
CategoriesNews Economy

Gold Surges Rs15,700 per Tola in Pakistan After US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement

KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan witnessed a significant single-day surge on Wednesday, with the per-tola rate climbing by Rs15,700 to reach Rs504,162, as international bullion markets rallied on a temporary breakthrough in the geopolitical standoff between the United States and Iran.

The All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association confirmed that the price of 10 grams of gold also rose by Rs13,460, settling at Rs432,237. Silver followed the upward trend, gaining Rs440 to trade at Rs8,184 per tola. The gains came a day after gold had declined, with the per-tola rate having closed at Rs488,462 on Tuesday.

On the international front, spot gold climbed 1.2 percent to $4,756.37 per ounce during mid-session trading, having earlier touched a gain of over 3 percent its strongest level since March 19. June delivery futures on US exchanges advanced 2.1 percent to $4,782.70 per ounce.

The primary catalyst behind the rally was a two-week ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran, reportedly facilitated through Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement. The truce prompted a retreat in both oil prices and the US dollar, conditions that traditionally bolster demand for gold as a store of value and safe-haven asset.

The Pakistani rupee registered a marginal gain of Rs0.01, settling at 279.05 against the US dollar, as the greenback touched a one-month low in global currency markets. Analysts anticipate continued volatility in gold prices, with movements closely tied to developments in the Middle East and signals from the Federal Reserve in the near term.

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CategoriesNews Economy Investment Taxes Trade

Pakistan’s OPF launches global outreach drive, seeks mandatory diaspora enrolment

ISLAMABAD: Over 12 million Pakistanis live and work outside the country. Until now, the government had no formal system to register, track, or serve them. The OPF is moving to change that, and its chairman is personally carrying that message to every major diaspora hub.”

Every year, Pakistanis living abroad send billions of dollars back home. Last year, that figure hit a record $38.3 billion. Yet, despite that contribution, the government had no formal, structured relationship with these citizens. That is now changing, and changing fast.

OPF Chairman Syed Qamar Raza Shah is currently on an international tour spanning Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the UAE. At each stop, he has been sitting with Pakistani community members, listening to their concerns, and making commitments on the spot. The tour is not just a goodwill exercise. It is laying the ground for the most significant changes to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation in its 45-year history.

In Japan, community leader Haji Syed Saleem Shah described the visit as a turning point. Pakistanis there raised long-standing problems, including jobs, education, legal disputes, and property matters back home. For many, it was the first time such issues were heard at a senior government level. The OPF Chairman gave direct instructions for urgent cases to be resolved immediately.

“This visit has given new hope to the Pakistani community in Japan. For the first time, their issues were seriously heard at such a high level.”
— Haji Syed Saleem Shah, Chairman, Ahl-e-Bait Foundation Japan

The same pattern repeated in the UAE. There, the OPF Chairman went a step further — announcing a formal proposal to make OPF membership compulsory for all overseas Pakistanis worldwide. Under the proposal, every Pakistani abroad would be required to register with the foundation and pay a one-time fee of Rs10,000 (around $35). The proposal now awaits approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

To go alongside the obligation, OPF has launched the Overseas Pakistanis Education Fund (OPEF), a scholarship program for children and spouses of overseas Pakistanis studying in Pakistani universities and colleges. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2026.

Two moves together tell the full story: the government wants to register its diaspora, fund its operations through their fees, and in return, invest in their families back home.

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