RIYADH/ISLAMABAD, JAN 30 (Mamosa Report) – Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani has established a Complaint Cell for overseas Pakistanis which will operate directly under his supervision.

The decision by CJ Jillani to protect the fundamental rights of the expats is being hailed in Saudi as well as worldwide, and comes within a month of his taking oath as the Chief Justice in mid-December.

Nicknamed “the gentleman judge” for his mild manner, Jillani is expected to maintain the court’s focus on rights of Pakistanis as well as overseas Pakistanis, including their right to vote.

According to a circular by the Welfare Wing of the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh, Justice Jillani has taken notice of the plight of Overseas Pakistanis who are at a disadvantage to look after and safeguard their rights in their homeland. He has therefore established and inaugurated “Expatriate Pakistanis Complaint Wing” in the Human Rights Cell of the apex court, the PR said.

The Wing is being looked after by the Chief Justice himself. It will receive complaints of Overseas Pakistanis through mail, fax as well as email on the application Pro forma already uploaded on the official website of the Supreme Court.

The Wing shall process such complaints within a period of 24 hours, the circular says.

The mandate of the Wing is to protect the rights and interests of the Overseas Pakistanis in the country ranging from their right to vote, protection of property and land right and hardships they face during their visit to their home country, etc.

“In order to address grievances of Overseas Pakistanis the Wing is mandated, interalia, to analyze grievances and to call report from the departments complained against and to give directions for redressal of such grievances and to suggest even Legislation, if required.”

Mueen Anwar, Community Welfare Officer I at the embassy has requested Saudi based complainants to copy their email to him also for followup, at: [email protected]

Syed Hammad Abid, Community Welfare Officer II said that the existing practice of such complaints being filed through the embassy shall also continue. MAMOSA has learnt this circular has been sent to Pakistan embassies worldwide.

Some 7 million Pakistanis live overseas. Last year they remitted over $15 billion. The largest population of Pakistani expats live in the kingdom and remitted the maximum share — almost $5 billion last year. Other regions where substantial population of Pakistanis live are UAE & GCC countries; USA, UK.

The addresses for sending such complaints are:

Chief Justice of Pakistan, Supreme Court Building,
Constitution Avenue, Islamabad;
Fax No: 0092-51-9219516;
Email: [email protected]