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Pakistani expats in Gulf hail free remittance service at home

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Pakistani customers enters at a currency exchange shop in Islamabad on October 9, 2018. (AFP)
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A Pakistani dealer counts US dollars at a currency exchange shop in Karachi on November 30, 2018. (AFP)
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Updated 03 January 2020
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Pakistani expats in Gulf hail free remittance service at home

  • Pakistan Post will allow beneficiaries to receive their money at 500 designated post offices 
  • Service would be especially beneficial for over 5 million Pakistani expats in the Gulf region, official says
Updated 03 January 2020
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani expats in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomed Pakistan Post’s new remittance service, which will allow them to send money back home free of charge. 

Under the scheme, expats can send any amount above $200 through a number of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) foreign partners. It will be delivered free of charge to one of 500 designated post offices across the country, Pakistan Post’s deputy director-general, Khawaja Imran Raza, told Arab News.

“We have to wait for months to send money through our friends to Pakistan, but now we will be able to do that every month. If the remittance receiver does not face delays or other hurdles, it will be a very successful scheme,” Arshan Khan, a Pakistani expat working at a factory in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, told Arab News over the phone.

Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the new service for overseas Pakistanis on Dec. 24, under the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Ministry of Finance.
 It allows customers to collect foreign remittances without any fees. All they need to do is present their national identity cards, PIN codes, the expected remittance amount, and the remitter’s details.

Some diaspora members are wary, however, about the implementation of the service.

Ameer Muhammad, a Pakistani worker in Jeddah, expressed his doubts over Pakistan Post’s capacity to deal with this new challenge.

“Different exchange companies and banks used to provide good services to receivers as they are trained to deal with money matters, but I am not sure how Pakistan Post staff will deal with our families,” he told Arab News.

Pakistan has the sixth-largest diaspora in the world, with approximately 7.6 million of its citizens living abroad. Around 4.3 million Pakistanis reside in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

According to SBP, the central bank, in 2019 overseas Pakistanis sent $1.81 billion in remittances as of November. Inflows from Saudi Arabia alone amounted to $407.48 million, making it the largest remittance source. The UAE was second with $383.77 million.

“The success of the service depends upon currency exchange rates as well, it should be according to the market. If they (Pakistan Post) will not offer the same rate, then it would not be beneficial for us,” said Jahangir Abbasi, a Pakistani expat who has been living in Dubai for more than three decades.

Another Pakistani expat from UAE, who hails from Zafarwal, a small city in Narowal district in central Punjab, appreciated the initiative. “It is a good step for us as Pakistan Post is available in Zafarwal, so my family will get money near to our home instead of traveling 30-40 kilometers to receive it from Narowal,” he told Arab News over the phone from Abu Dhabi.

Rizwan Sohail, who returned from the UAE last year and runs a publishing business, said the new remittance service will be a great facility for Pakistani workers. “There are many Pakistanis in the UAE, who are working on low salaries so for them 20-30 dirham fees were not affordable. Now they can not only send money free of charge but also receive it at the nearest post office,” Sohail told Arab News over the phone from Lahore.

Pakistan Post plans to expand the number of post offices offering the service to 1000 within a year, informed Raza.

“We are using NBP’s software since it has 41 banks and other financial organizations as partners world over. Anyone who wants to send money will use any of these partner institutions and the money will be delivered to the family through the closest designated post office,” Raza said, adding that the service would be especially beneficial for more than 5 million Pakistani expats in the Gulf region since most of them are low-end workers.

“We have also installed biometric machines to meet the international standards and obligations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The biometric verification of every recipient will be performed through KYC (Know Your Customer) and CDD (Customer Due Diligence). In order to carry out these services, our NBP software is connected to the NADRA database,” Raza said, informing that these services would be performed by “postman mobile banker” through fingerprint-enabled mobile devices that would be used to deliver money at the beneficiary’s doorstep.

“We have already started the pilot project with 10 handheld devices,” he said, adding that the mechanism is expected to encourage overseas Pakistanis to remit their cash through legal means and will boost the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Topics: Gulf countries UAE Pakistan remmitance

Masood defends Pakistan’s spin-spiced formula after Windies win

Updated 5 sec ago
AFP
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Masood defends Pakistan’s spin-spiced formula after Windies win

  • Pakistan completed the win before tea on the third day as spinners Sajid Khan grabbed 5-50 and Abrar Ahmed finished with 4-27
  • The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions on a dry, grassless Multan Stadium pitch, with spinners taking 34 of 40 wickets to fall
Updated 5 sec ago
AFP

MULTAN: Skipper Shan Masood defended Pakistan’s formula of using spin-friendly pitches to win home Test matches after a 127-run victory over the West Indies in Multan on Sunday.
Pakistan completed the win before tea on the third day as spinners Sajid Khan grabbed 5-50 and Abrar Ahmed finished with 4-27 to dismiss the West Indies for 123 after setting a 251-run target.
The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions on a dry and grassless Multan Stadium pitch, with spinners taking 34 of the 40 wickets to fall.
Sajid finished with nine wickets, fellow spinner Noman Ali six and the West Indian left-armer Jomel Warrican took a maiden 10-wicket haul.
Pakistan bowled just one over of pace in the match.
“If we want to be a top side in the World Test Championship then we have to sacrifice some things, like we did with the fast bowling in this Test,” Masood said.
Pakistan made drastic changes after going winless in 11 home Tests since 2021, using industrial fans and patio heaters to dry the Multan pitch against England last year.
Sajid and Noman took 39 of the 40 wickets to give Pakistan a come-from-behind 2-1 series win against England, repeating the same ploy against the West Indies.
Masood’s captain counterpart Kraigg Brathwaite had no issue with it.
They will play the second Test from January 25 at the same venue.
“They’re at home so they got their decision how they want the pitch to behave,” said Brathwaite.
“It was a difficult pitch to bat on for sure.
“We expect the same type of pitch in the second Test so we got to come better with bravery and belief.”
Left-hander Alick Athanaze hit the only half-century for the tourists in the match with 55, an innings Brathwaite wants his batters to learn from.
“He swept it on both sides so we just have to be brave,” said Brathwaite.
“We have got one more Test and we have to believe in ourselves.”

Topics: Pakistan vs West Indies Multan Test Shan Masood Pakistan cricket team

Pakistan to send trade delegations to Bangladesh on Jan. 19, 20 amid thaw in ties

Updated 54 min 9 sec ago
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Pakistan to send trade delegations to Bangladesh on Jan. 19, 20 amid thaw in ties

  • Pakistan to send business delegations of citrus, date fruits to Bangladesh next week
  • Trade exhibition to showcase Pakistan’s potential in Bangladeshi market, says organizer
Updated 54 min 9 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said on Sunday it will send two trade delegations to Bangladesh from Jan. 19-20 in a bid to increase bilateral relations and economic collaboration, as both countries move to repair strained ties. 

Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.

In the years since, Bangladeshi leaders, particularly former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, chose to maintain close ties with India. Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024, witnessing a marked improvement.

The TDAP said that it would send two Pakistani trade delegations focusing on the trade of date fruits and citrus between the two countries.

“The first delegation of dates comprising 13 exporters will leave for a week-long visit on Jan. 19 while the second delegation of citrus will leave for a business-to-business (B2B) meeting on Jan. 20,” the TDAP said. 

It said the business delegations aimed to explore more trade opportunities, promote business partnerships and Pakistan’s export potential in the Bangladeshi market. 

Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, TDAP chief executive, said the authority planned to organize a trade exhibition in Bangladesh where Pakistani entrepreneurs will have a chance to showcase their products. 

“Pakistan is one of the top ten importers of Bangladesh, covering sectors such as textiles, agriculture, food, chemicals and basic metals, but there is still room for further expansion of these imports,” he said. 

He said both countries have been in talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) since 2002, adding that it could pave the way for greater opportunities for the people of both countries. 

The development comes after Tuesday’s signing of a landmark agreement between Pakistan and Bangladeshi businesspersons to establish a joint business council between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to visit Dhaka at the start of February to further consolidate the relations between the two countries.

Topics: Pakistan Bangladesh

Pakistan says ‘CPEC 2.0’ to attract more Chinese companies and investment

Updated 19 January 2025
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Pakistan says ‘CPEC 2.0’ to attract more Chinese companies and investment

  • CPEC, a multi-billion-dollar project, connects China and Pakistan through network of highways, railways and pipelines
  • Pakistan says CPEC’s second phase will involve advanced technological transfer, and focus on industrialization and SEZs 
Updated 19 January 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will attract more Chinese investment and companies, as Islamabad eyes greater collaboration with Beijing to bolster its economy. 

CPEC is a multi-billion-dollar project that connects China and Pakistan through a network of highways, railways and pipelines. In December 2024, Pakistan announced that both countries would work on the CPEC project with a renewed focus. 

The government has said that the second phase of the CPEC project would be known as “CPEC 2.0” and would involve deeper collaboration, advanced technological transfer and transformative socio-economic projects.

“Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the importance of CPEC 2.0,” Pakistan’s finance ministry said while speaking to Hong Kong’s TVB News. 

“The second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will attract more Chinese companies and investment,” the finance minister said. 

Aurangzeb, who this week attended the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, invited the Asian country to send delegations to explore trade and financial opportunities in Pakistan.

“Hong Kong can be a suitable location for joint ventures between Chinese and Pakistani companies,” the finance minister was quoted as saying. 

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said last week that the second phase of the project would focus on industrialization and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as well as on clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects. 

However, the project has been hit by Islamabad struggling to keep up financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants, especially in the country’s southwestern province. 
 

Topics: CPEC 2.0 China

Pakistan’s Sajid and Abrar demolish West Indies in first Test win

Updated 19 January 2025
AFP
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Pakistan’s Sajid and Abrar demolish West Indies in first Test win

  • Sajid Khan takes 5-50 and match figures of 9-115 to bamboozle West Indies
  • Test lasted fewer than 8 sessions, with start delayed on first day by poor visibility
Updated 19 January 2025
AFP

Multan, Pakistan: Spinner Sajid Khan took five wickets and Abrar Ahmed another four to guide Pakistan to a 127-run win on the third day of the first Test against West Indies in Multan on Sunday.
Sajid took 5-50 for match figures of 9-115, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed snared 4-27 as West Indies were dismissed for 123, falling well short of their victory target of 251.
Pakistan’s spinners took all the wickets in West Indies’ second innings, with Noman Ali chipping in with 1-42, as the home side took an early advantage in the two-Test series.
Left-handed batter Alick Athanaze hit 55, the only half-century of the match for the tourists, and added 41 runs for the sixth wicket with Tevin Imlach.
Sajid removed the dangerous Athanaze, while Abrar’s haul included the final wicket of Jomel Warrican.
Left-armer Warrican had led the spin attack for the tourists with a career-best 7-32 as Pakistan were bowled out for 157 in their second innings.
They were also the best figures by a West Indian bowler in Pakistan, topping fast bowler Malcolm Marshall’s 5-33 at Lahore in 1986.
The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions, with the start delayed on the first day by poor visibility.
The Multan pitch provided sharp turn, with Sajid taking the wickets of skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (12), Keacy Carty (six), Kavem Hodge (0) and Mikyle Louis (13).
Noman then trapped Justin Greaves leg before wicket for nine in the last over before lunch, leaving the tourists tottering on 54-5.
Pakistan had resumed earlier on 109-3 but managed to add just 48 runs.
Warrican’s nagging line and length earned him match figures of 10-101, his first 10-wicket match haul.
He dismissed overnight batter Saud Shakeel for two with the first ball of the day and then had Mohammad Rizwan for the same score in his next over.
Warrican continued the demolition act with the wickets of Kamran Ghulam (27), Noman (nine) and Sajid (five).
The second match starts on January 25, also in Multan.
 

Topics: west indies Cricket Test Match Pakistan sajid khan

Pakistan livestock exhibition in Karachi draws over 1.2 million visitors in two days

Updated 19 January 2025
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Pakistan livestock exhibition in Karachi draws over 1.2 million visitors in two days

  • Three-day expo showcases 2,000 animals, over 1,000 birds, numerous reptiles, falcons and pets
  • Sindh livestock official says event’s main purpose is to connect breeders, investors and farmers
Updated 19 January 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistan’s largest livestock exhibition featuring thousands of animals in the southern port city of Karachi has drawn more than 1.2 million visitors in the past two days, as per an official, with the three-day event set to conclude today, Sunday. 

The exhibition has been organized by the Sindh government at the city’s Expo Center. It showcases a diverse range of livestock which includes over 2,000 animals, 1,000 birds and numerous reptiles, falcons and domestic pets.

Dr. Nazeer Hussain Kalhoro, director-general of the Sindh Livestock Department, told Arab News on Saturday that the main purpose of the event was to ensure collaboration among breeders, investors and farmers.

“The motto of this Sindh livestock expo is to connect, collaborate and thrive,” Kalhoro said.

“So, we are connecting people, and then we are signing MoUs to collaborate with each other. And then finally, there will be the development when we will thrive together.”

The official said that this was set to be the “largest Pakistan expo ever we have seen,” adding that the exhibition had been visited by 0.6 million people daily since it began on Friday. 

He said the numbers were expected to increase on the last day, which was a Sunday. 

Shakir Umar Gujar, president of the Dairy & Cattle Farmers Association, said it is essential to showcase Pakistan’s livestock globally through such exhibitions. 

“At the same time, these expos help farmers learn and adopt measures to enhance their production,” he said. 

“Livestock is a crucial component of the national economy, and such exhibitions are beneficial for farmers.”

Syed Nazeer Hussain, 45, was happy his children got to learn about the various animals in the country through the expo. 

“They’ll get to see and learn about our culture, the various breeds of animals we have in Pakistan, and gain awareness while being entertained,” he told Arab News. 

Dr. Kalhoro pointed out that climate change, combined with issues such as water scarcity and outdated farming technologies, has drastically altered Pakistan’s agricultural landscape. This added to the livestock sector’s importance. 

“When we got independence in 1947, the contribution of the crop sector was about 68 percent, and the livestock sector was only 32 percent,” he said. 

“Now this has been reversed because of climate change, because of the unavailability of the water, different technologies, and the seed problem.”

This shift, he noted, is directly tied to climate variability, which has led to poor crop yields, rising costs, and an overall decline in traditional farming practices.

Livestock, on the other hand, was thriving and the provincial government was trying to use it to generate capital for the country.

“Pakistan is having 225 million herds of livestock farmed livestock,” Dr. Kalhoro said. “It means that we are now harboring the third largest herd of milk-based or meat-based animals in the world,” he said. 

Muhammad Mikael Abbas, a student of grade five, was quite enthralled with the exhibition’s offering. 

“I saw cows, goats, sheep, dogs, parrots, and birds of all breeds,” Abbas said. “It was really enjoyable, and we’re still exploring to see what else might be here. 

“We’ll check everything out.” 

Topics: Livestock expo Pakistan Sindh

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