Govt expands digital consular services for overseas Pakistanis, PM reaffirms top priority

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to further enhance digital consular services and improve facilities for overseas Pakistanis, reaffirming that their welfare remains among the government's highest priorities.

According to a statement released from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Islamabad on Thursday, while chairing a high-level meeting, the prime minister was briefed on measures aimed at improving services at Pakistani embassies, digitalizing the document verification process, simplifying complaint registration, and enabling overseas Pakistanis to access various government services and payment systems from abroad.

Addressing the participants, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “Overseas Pakistanis are a valuable national asset and emphasized that providing them with efficient, transparent, and accessible services is a top priority of the government.”

The prime minister was informed that, to facilitate Pakistanis residing abroad, digital systems have been introduced for power of attorney, property purchase and sale, and document verification through QR codes, significantly simplifying official procedures.

An evening shift has recently been introduced at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad to facilitate citizens. “Document verification services have also been extended to the Asan Khidmat Markaz in Islamabad,” the PM was told.

The prime minister was also briefed that the Apostille system has transformed document verification into a one-step process. As part of the next phase of reforms, the government is working to fully digitalize the entire verification system.

In collaboration with the National Information Technology Board, a dedicated mobile application is being developed that will enable digital verification of key documents, including birth and death certificates, marriage registration certificates, and family registration certificates.

The prime minister directed the relevant ministries and institutions to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing digital initiatives, underscoring the government's commitment to delivering modern, citizen-centric services for overseas Pakistanis.