Insensitive remarks by Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif about foreign Pakistanis, particularly those residing in Canada, the United States, and Europe, provoked outrage on social media. He called them “shameless” and “unpatriotic” and claimed they wouldn’t contribute money to Pakistan but would degrade it.
Khawaja Asif made these remarks when discussing the fall in remittances from overseas at a recent National Assembly session. He said that Pakistanis living in the US and Canada would bring their dead to bury in Pakistan, sell their properties here, and leave. they should respect the country that gave them respect he added.
He compared them to Pakistanis residing in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who he claimed were Pakistan’s primary source of remittances. Further added, these people work in harsh conditions, send money to their families, and buy properties in Pakistan. He said these people come home on Eid and other festivals, while those living in Canada and the US would not return.
Overseas Pakistanis themselves condemned his remarks and criticized him. Twitter users expressed anger and disappointment at the minister’s insensitive and ignorant remarks.
A few have also pointed out the irony of his remarks since the national anti-graft agency, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), has accused him of corruption. He was arrested in December 2020 for allegedly having assets beyond his known sources of income. The Islamabad High Court later released him on bail.
Some Twitter users also shared statistics and facts to counter his claims. They said that overseas Pakistanis sent record remittances of US$33 billion in 2021 and that more than 54% came from the Gulf region. They also said that Pakistanis living in Canada and the US were among the top 10 countries sending remittances to Pakistan.
Some users also praised overseas Pakistanis for their achievements and contributions in various fields, such as science, technology, education, sports, arts, and culture. They said they were proud of their fellow citizens, who represented Pakistan positively on the global stage. They also urged the government to respect and appreciate the overseas Pakistanis instead of insulting and alienating them.