|
My Dear Pakistanis,
This year in May, I spoke about launching a programme for highly qualified Pakistanis
in New York City. I announced that I want to see a modern Pakistan, where the benefits
of knowledge flow to all sections of the society.
I am very happy to announce today the launch of President’s programme for care of
highly qualified Pakistanis (PPQP). PPQP will provide all relevant information and
assistance to potential overseas Pakistani workers, and also operate an interactive
website through which online registration facility will be provided to highly qualified
Pakistanis throughout the world. Through this programme we aim to address the ill-effects
of brain drain and prevalent world wide recession. This is a pioneering effort and
I hope this programme will in the long run help to develop skilled human capital
for Pakistan.
Over the last few decades thousands of Pakistanis have left their country in pursuit
of higher education or better employment opportunities abroad. For various economic,
social and historical reasons, however, many chose to settle abroad resulting in
creating “brain drain” depriving the country of much needed talents and skills.
Many of these expatriates possess a strong sense of belongingness and respect for
the country and desire to contribute in the development of their homeland. I deeply
appreciate our Pakistani brothers and sisters working abroad. They have been a source
of great strength to the country and they play an important role in Pakistan’s economy.
It is our sincere desire to create a framework which will provide profitable opportunities
for overseas Pakistanis to invest in Pakistan’s progress. It is also our sincere
desire to benefit from the vast reservoir of business, technological, managerial
and entrepreneurial skills represented by overseas Pakistanis. We seek to encourage
in every possible way our links and our relations with overseas communities of Pakistan
origin.
The state of the economy calls for difficult decisions and bold actions, and we
will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for economic
stabilization and growth. We will build new dams, roads and bridges and the electric
grids that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will invest in technology's
wonders to improve health care and lower its cost. And we will transform our education
system to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. But we need the support
of entire nation to achieve our goals. Our government is committed to transforming
Pakistan. I would like Overseas Pakistani to reach out and invest in Pakistan. Invest
not just financially, but intellectually, socially, culturally and, above all, emotionally.
Your roots are what bring you here. Your branches are what will keep you engaged
year after year. I wish this interaction between overseas Pakistanis and the people
of Pakistan to inspire Pakistanis at home to take a broader view of the world.
I am confident that a new and prosperous Pakistan will be built due to our efforts.
Today, I welcome all of you to join us and to be active partners in this exciting
journey of Pakistan’s progress and prosperity.
As Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in her famous words said: “We did not come this
far, we did not sacrifice this much, to fail. Together, we will find a tomorrow
better than any of the yesterdays we have ever known!”
Let us all work together for a better Pakistan and let us utilize Pakistan’s brains
for Pakistan’s gains.
|