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The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development has directed authorities to open new Protector Offices for job visa holders before the end of this financial year, aiming to streamline services and improve support for Pakistanis working abroad. The committee also emphasized full digital integration of these offices with NADRA and other government platforms to enhance identity verification and reduce reliance on agents.
Background to this decision dates back to earlier controversies where the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had been offloading overseas bound passengers at airports under unclear procedures, which the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis later declared illegal. Following widespread complaints and escalating issues, authorities were pushed to reform the system and ensure legal, transparent services for emigrants.
Committee Chair Syed Rafiullah stated,
“All fees must flow through formal banking channels, and digital platforms should allow full traceability and accountability.”
Officials informed the committee that approvals for new Protector Offices were underway, but budget and staffing constraints had caused delays. The committee rejected these delays and insisted on making the offices operational before year end.
Members also called for an accelerated rollout of the E-Protector system, which has already served around 60,000 users, and urged authorities to raise awareness through SMS alerts, social media updates, and local outreach. The initiative seeks to strengthen accountability, ensure responsive complaint handling, and allow overseas Pakistanis to access services without intermediaries, improving convenience and transparency.
