ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday launched the automation of power of attorney for overseas Pakistanis, the Pakistani foreign office said, which aims to facilitate 75,000 individuals annually.
A power of attorney or letter of attorney is a written authorization that gives a designated person, termed the agent or attorney-in-fact, the power to act on the behalf of other person, known as principal or grantor, in private, financial or other matters.
Automation of power of attorney had been a longstanding demand of the Pakistanis living abroad. The service will facilitate those who had to travel long distances from different cities and far-off places to Pakistani missions.
This automated system will reduce costs and minimize hassle, according to the Pakistani foreign office. The service, which has initially been launched in ten Pakistani missions in the United States and the United Kingdom, would be replicated shortly at all Pakistani missions abroad.
“It was a historic day for overseas Pakistanis as the digitalization of power of attorney will facilitate around 75,000 overseas Pakistanis annually,” PM Khan said, while addressing the launch in Islamabad.
“Technology helps in simplification of procedures and the government was taking all possible measures for digitalization of various sectors. The issuance of Succession Certificate by NADRA [National Database and Registration Authority] was also a step in this direction.”
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan attends the launching ceremony of digital power of attorney for overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 18, 2021. (PID)
The prime minister said overseas Pakistanis were an asset for the country and the largest source of foreign remittances, who deserved to be facilitated by all possible means.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and NADRA Chairman Muhammad Tariq Malik were also present at the launch.
Qureshi said the project involved extensive legislative and technological work and was completed in a very short span of time. He said the welfare of the Pakistani community was one of the major functions of Pakistani missions abroad, along with economic diplomacy.
The Pakistani foreign ministry and the country’s database regulator also signed an agreement, under which the latter would provide uninterrupted online services for the attestation of power of attorney.
