News Detail
Event Title: Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, presiding over a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House, Islamabad.
Event Date: 2026-03-31
SENATE COMMITTEE DEMANDS ANSWERS OVER DECADE-LONG DELAY OF EOBI BOARD RECONSTITUTION
The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, convened today under the Chairmanship of Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, to receive a comprehensive briefing on the investment portfolio of the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and the welfare initiatives of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF). The Committee also reviewed briefings from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) regarding overseas employment companies. The meeting scrutinized the financial health of EOBI, expressing severe dissatisfaction with the institution's governance, stagnant reform processes, and a perceived shift in focus from worker welfare to perpetual litigation.
The Committee was informed that EOBI’s total investment portfolio stands at 691 billion rupees, with 592 billion (85%) invested in T-Bills and State Banks, yielding a 13.5% return. However, the Committee expressed grave concern over 59 billion rupees (8.5%) remaining stagnant in real estate projects. Members questioned the legal authority under which the Board formulates its own rules and committees, specifically highlighting that the Board has remained dissolved since 2016 without being reconstituted.
The Committee expressed strong displeasure over the lack of transparency, observing that Board meeting minutes are not published on the official website. It was further noted that no actuarial summary has been moved for the past 10 years, which the Committee labeled as a sign of sheer incompetence. Concerns were also raised regarding "mala fide" investments and repeated losses associated with various portfolios. The Chairman directed that a summary be moved within 15 days to apprise the Committee of progress, deferring further discussion until the next meeting. The Committee noted with regret that instead of fulfilling its core mandate of "Public Welfare," the management appears consumed by litigation170 million. Consequently, a directive was issued for a detailed report on all ongoing legal cases and a briefing on the professional backgrounds of Board members to be presented in the upcoming session.
During a briefing by the Director General of Immigration, the Committee was informed of a significant decline in the number of overseas workers, particularly in Saudi Arabia, with figures dropping below the 47,000 from75-80000 workers mark as of March 30th. This decline was partially attributed to limited flight availability, currently restricted to only two flights per week.
Regarding grievance redressal, it was reported that out of 6,000 complaints received, 5,400 have been resolved. The Chairman directed the department to share the official service brochures and the outcomes of recent foreign meetings with the Committee in its next meeting.
The meeting was Chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro as actiong Chairperson along with Senators Shahadat Awan, Syed Kazim Ali Shah, Saeed Ahmed Hashm i, Atta-ul-Haq, Secretary Ministry of Oversease Pakistani and Human Resource Development and other senior officials.