LOS ANGELES: Sarfaraz Khan, President of Friends of Pakistan recently visited Vienna, Austria and met a number of prominent Pakistanis there. This was a part of his global campaign for expatriates "Meri Awaz Suno" during which he was visiting several European countries to raise awareness.

A prominent Pakistani activist in Vienna Babar Khan and his friends had invited the FOP President to Vienna and he addressed them at the Pakistan Community Center at Vienna, Austria. Speaking on this occasion, Sarfaraz Khan said, "We are over 10 millions expatriates all over the world and have no voice in Pakistani parliament. Now we are asking the Pakistani government to give us a "Right of Vote" to elect our own representatives in overseas countries to represent us in the Pakistani parliament and in Senate.

We are also demanding a full portfolio federal minister especially for overseas Pakistanis to solve their problems and let overseas Pakistanis serve Pakistan in a better way with confidence." He said this was a long awaited demand of expatriates and every government in the past had sat over the issue and never met our demand. So, he said, "we have finally started this campaign globally and received tremendous response from all over."

Sarfaraz Khan said that Pakistan was going through a transitional period and "we want the parliament to define overseas Pakistanis' role in Pakistan's constitution. For this we are preparing a "Bill of Right" to submit in parliament in near future. We need help and co-operation from all political parties in Pakistan to get this approved with two-third majority." He said overseas Pakistanis could play a vital role in Pakistan's economy.

He outlined FOP's comprehensive Five-point agenda for this cause:

1. We can raise remittances level.
   
2. We can bring more investment to Pakistan.
   
3. We can boost education with higher standards.
   
4. We can bring revolution in agriculture field.
   
5. We can assist Pakistan in IT industry.
   

To achieve all these goals, he felt, they should have representation in parliament and Senate to get legislation approved and implemented properly through elected representatives. Announcing the opening of the Austrian Chapter, he said, Babar Khan will be the in charge of this chapter while Chaudry Ijaz will assist him. Several prominent Pakistani community members attended this welcome ceremony and applauded his efforts.

He also spoke at the local mosque where a large number of Pakistanis listened to his message and asked many questions. He answered them all and they were delighted with his program. They assured him of continued support for this cause and also decided to organize a convention in Vienna this coming summer.