New York (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday inaugurated the newly renovated Consular Services Area at the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York, one of the country’s oldest missions abroad, established in 1948.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dar underlined that Pakistan’s missions overseas have a primary responsibility to serve expatriate Pakistanis “with dignity, efficiency and the best possible services.” He noted that the government, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had introduced several reforms aimed at supporting overseas Pakistanis.
These include special courts for their cases, e-filing and video-link recording of evidence, facilitation in taxation and banking, reserved university seats for their children, dedicated facilitation offices in Punjab and Balochistan, revival of the Green Channel at airports, and the launch of a Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) facility for 126 countries.
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Dar praised Consul General Aamer Ahmed Atozai and his team for overseeing the rehabilitation of the consulate’s historic building while ensuring uninterrupted community services.
In his remarks, Atozai thanked Dar for his guidance and highlighted recent initiatives introduced by the consulate. These include a 24-hour emergency helpline, a Punjab Land Record kiosk, upgrades to the call management system, a redesigned website, a NADRA facilitation desk, adoption of online powers of attorney, an online appointment system, regular e-Kachehris and community town halls, and expanded cultural and economic outreach efforts.
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The inauguration of the renovated facility, officials said, reflects the government’s continued commitment to providing high-quality services to overseas Pakistanis.
