PM chastises envoys for indifferent attitude towards expats

Prime Minister Imran Khan virtually addressed Pakistani ambassadors and high commissioners from across the globe on Wednesday.

PM tweeted that he told all Pakistani missions abroad that their priority “must be the welfare and well-being of our greatest asset, overseas Pakistanis”.

Today I addressed our envoys in all our missions abroad with a strong message that their priority must be the welfare & well-being of our greatest asset, overseas Pakistanis – especially our hard working labour abroad. Their welfare must take priority.https://t.co/WA7Ah49m9Q

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 5, 2021

“Overseas Pakistanis are precious assets of the country,” the premier said, adding that it is unfortunate that Pakistani ambassadors do not treat them well.

 He read out complaints received on Citizens Portal and condemned the “callousness and insensitivity” displayed by embassy workers.

“Expats face unnecessary delays and complications in availing routine services,” PM Imran said. He further added that complain resolution of the embassy is mostly firefighting and lacks a passion to solve these issues. “The job of embassies is to serve their citizens.”

PM had recently recalled Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz and six staff members after reports of their alleged mistreatment of the Pakistani expat community surfaced. The Foreign Office said there is zero tolerance for any lapse in public service delivery. “The feedback provided by Pakistani expats living in Saudi Arabia was shocking,” said PM. He added that an indifferent attitude towards the expat community is “unforgivable”.

PM Imran in particular acknowledged the services of labour working abroad in tough conditions . “These workers deserve our utmost respect and the government will not spare anyone misbehaving with them.”

Former diplomats react to PM’s comments

Former Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua tweeted she was deeply dismayed at the unwarranted criticism of the foreign ministry.

Deeply dismayed at the unwarranted criticism of the Foreign Ministry. There seems to be woefully inadequate understanding of Embassies’ consular work, the acute resource constraints, and the role of multiple departments which not under the control of Ambassadors.

— Tehmina Janjua (@TehminaJanjua) May 5, 2021

Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador of Pakistan to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani does not completely agree with PM Imran. In a tweet, the former diplomat said that he wished the PM was properly briefed about working of Missions. “Services like attestation of degrees, marriage certificates, licenses etc are referred to HEC, Interior or Provincial govts for verification. You don’t get timely response. Hence delays. Blaming envoys unfair.”

Hon PM Sir, wish you were properly briefed about working of Missions. Services like attestation of degrees, marriage certificates, licenses etc are referred to HEC, Interior or Provincial govts for verification. You don’t get timely response. Hence delays. Blaming envoys unfair. https://t.co/FtmVSQnrer

— Jalil Abbas Jilani (@JalilJilani) May 5, 2021

Jilani also said that the foreign service of Pakistan suffers from “decades of neglect, political paralysis and resource constraints”.

FSP suffers from decades of neglect, political paralysis,and resource constraints.What is needed now is a renewal of diplomatic capacity, resources,appreciation and an effort that balances ambition with limits of the possible at a moment of growing difficulties at home and abroad https://t.co/FtmVSQnrer

— Jalil Abbas Jilani (@JalilJilani) May 5, 2021

Jilani and Janjua were not the only former diplomats to be irked by PM’s comments. Former Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir also tweeted that PM’s ire and critique of the foreign ministry and envoys is misplaced.

Sir respectfully, your ire and critique of Foreign Ministry and Envoys is misplaced. Usual services to the community are essentially in the domain of other departments that handle passports, nicop, consular attestation etc. Yes the missions should keep their doors open. https://t.co/mMJuvY9j1J

— Salman Bashir (@Salman_B_PK) May 5, 2021