ISLAMABAD/LONDON: Chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Syed Qamar Raza, has raised concerns over what he described as “misconceptions” being circulated regarding consular and visa services involving the Pakistan High Commission in London and Gerry’s, a private service provider.
In a clarification letter addressed to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Qamar Raza stated that inaccurate information is being spread within the Pakistani community in the United Kingdom, causing unnecessary confusion and concern. He emphasized that these misunderstandings need to be addressed promptly to reassure overseas Pakistanis.
According to Raza, the proposed arrangement—under which Gerry’s will assist in providing consular and visa-related services in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission and NADRA—was reviewed during Ishaq Dar’s recent visit to the UK. Following consultations with the Pakistani community, the deputy prime minister had expressed satisfaction with the plan.
He firmly rejected concerns circulating among community members that the High Commission or consulates might discontinue their consular and visa services. “These fears are unfounded,” Raza said, adding that the High Commission remains fully operational and committed to serving overseas Pakistanis without interruption.
Raza further urged the Pakistan High Commission in London to proactively engage with the community to dispel doubts regarding Gerry’s role. He noted that the High Commission has already clarified that the introduction of Gerry’s services is intended to enhance convenience and accessibility, not to replace existing diplomatic functions.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan High Commission in the UK has also issued its own clarification, stating that the decision to engage Gerry’s was made with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a transparent process. Officials highlighted that the initiative aims to facilitate Pakistanis living in remote areas, who often face long travel times and significant expenses to access consular services.
Under the new arrangement, Gerry’s service centers will handle tasks such as data entry, processing, and verification for passport, visa, and NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) applications. Importantly, the High Commission stressed that final decision-making authority will remain exclusively with the relevant government institutions in Pakistan.
Additionally, Gerry’s centers are expected to offer extended accessibility, including services on weekends, which could significantly improve service delivery for working individuals unable to visit during standard office hours.
The High Commission reiterated that all core consular services—including power of attorney, property-related matters, and other legal documentation—will continue to be managed directly by the High Commission and its four consulates across the UK.
Officials concluded that the collaboration with Gerry’s is part of a broader effort to modernize and streamline consular services for overseas Pakistanis, ensuring greater efficiency while maintaining full governmental oversight and control.
