ISLAMABAD: The government has been urged to give more importance to remittances than exports, said Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Patron Shahid Rasheed Butt.
In a statement, Shahid Butt said that despite best efforts of the government the exports continue to drop, therefore, the importance of remittances sector must be realised which is paying import bill of oil, LNG and palm oil.
Butt said remittances are necessary for survival of the country and it should be purged with black sheep and important posts like Bureau of Immigration director general should not be kept vacant for long. He said Abu Dhabi is one of the top remittance market for Pakistan but there is no community welfare attaché there which is unfortunate.
The veteran business leader said the government must encourage this sector and properly regulate it to promote remittances and assist overseas employment promoters which are faced with multiple problems of serious nature. He said those going abroad to get jobs to feed their families and send foreign exchange are milked by many agencies. These people are asset of the country who deserve all the respect and encouragement.
Shahid Rasheed Butt said that job promoters should not be harassed by law enforcing agencies and the Ministry Of Overseas Pakistanis should initiate a programme to produce skilled labour which is in great demand at home and abroad.
