Pakistan-Saudi Arabia
Pakistan ambassador to Saudi Arabia called back over expat complaints
Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia has returned to the country over complaints by the Pakistani community in the kingdom, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement.
Orders have been issued to six other officers of the embassy in Riyadh to return over similar complaints, according to a Dawn report.
The statement said the decision was taken following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s direction.
"A high-powered inquiry committee will look into the matter," it added.
The six officers who were issued recall orders worked in the diplomatic, community welfare, and consular wings of the embassy, according to the FO.
"The government of Pakistan attaches high importance to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. There is zero tolerance, whatsoever, for any lapse in public service delivery," the statement said.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi himself oversaw the working of all diplomatic missions, particularly with regards to the services being provided to the Pakistani community.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said that the Prime Minister, “being cognisant of the complaints submitted to him by Diaspora in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and while expressing his displeasure on the performance, attitude and behaviour of officers posted in Pakistan’s Embassy/ Consulates in Saudi Arabia, has taken a serious view of the situation.”
The statement added that the premier had tasked the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission to inquire into the matter and submit its report within 15 days, the Dawn report said.
Besides, the statement said the former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Raja Ali Ijaz has been suspended, while all staff, who dealt with the public at the Pakistani embassy and consulates the kingdom would be recalled and the process for their replacement initiated immediately.
Earlier, the prime minister said he had heard that the Pakistani embassy in Saudi Arabia did "not take care of the labour class" working in the Gulf country.
He directed embassies to take care of the labour class working in countries abroad. Referring to the Pakistani embassy in Saudi Arabia, the prime minister said he had ordered a "full-scale inquiry".
"I am calling back staff and will take action against those who mistreated the [labourers]. We will make an example of them," he emphasised.
The prime minister said he had also heard reports regarding bribery, saying that those involved would be given "exemplary punishment".
Data shared by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment last year showed that over 87 per cent of Pakistanis looking for overseas jobs went to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in 2019.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan, a large part of the remittances during the July to March period in FY21 came mainly from Saudi Arabia, standing at $5.7 billion.
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