British-Pakistani appointed OPF chairman

LONDON: The Pakistan government has appointed prominent British-Pakistani businessman Syed Qamar Raza as the Chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF).

The federal cabinet approved the appointment of Syed Qamar Raza after considering the summary dated July 23, 2024, submitted by the Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Division.

According to the notification issued and approved by the federal cabinet, others appointed as independent members are Shaheen Khalid Butt, Afzaal Bhatti, Oneza Butt, Shamsher Rao, and several additional secretaries with bureaucratic responsibilities. Syed Qamar Raza had previously served as a member and executive committee member of the Board of Governors for the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) in 2013.

Syed Qamar Raza is the former secretary general and president of the UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UKPCCI), which worked to increase trade between the UK and Pakistan. He has also served as the vice-president of the Conservative Friends of Pakistan (CFoP) and was the founding chairman of the World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCOP). Mr. Raza runs several businesses in the UK and Pakistan in the areas of real estate, food, and energy.

Syed Qamar Raza said in a statement that overseas Pakistanis are Pakistan’s biggest asset, and their remittances have kept the national economy afloat during the most difficult times.

He told Geo News, “In my new role, I will work hard to help resolve the issues of overseas Pakistanis, who are Pakistan’s biggest asset. The government of Pakistan recognises the importance of overseas Pakistanis and considers them the backbone of Pakistan’s social and economic life, as they have proven through their commitment to Pakistan’s welfare. I will use my role to do everything in my power to resolve their issues.”

Syed Qamar Raza said there is a huge potential to help Pakistan’s economy further by investing in overseas Pakistanis. He added, “There is an urgent need for the unity of overseas Pakistanis so they can combine their efforts to work for the welfare of Pakistan. We will make sure the Government of Pakistan consults its overseas citizens on all issues related to them. We will do everything to promote the interests of overseas Pakistanis.”