Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said overseas Pakistanis would have the opportunity to influence policymaking in the country as they had been granted voting rights.

He said this while speaking to the Pakistani community in Romania on Sunday during his official trip. Pakistan’s ambassador to Romania Dr Zafar Iqbal accompanied the minister.

The foreign minister assured overseas Pakistanis that he would talk to the Romanian foreign minister about giving more facilities to them.

Pakistan would focus on increasing exports to the markets in Europe, he said, adding the expatriates had opened 300,000 digital accounts and sent $30 billion through the source in a short span of time.

"The Pakistani diaspora has been given facilities so that they can buy houses and cars in the country," he told the community.

He said the investors could now repatriate their profits earned in Pakistan and were also given exemptions in taxes and duties.

During his visit, the foreign minister also hosted a dinner in honour of members of the European Parliament and Romania's parliament.

"The strategic partnership between Pakistan and the European Union has entered the next level and the country is desirous of enhancing ties with the countries in Europe," said the foreign minister while speaking on the occassion.

Qureshi said Pakistan – an emerging market of more than 200 million people - provided immense opportunities for investment and the country was determined to expand economic and trade ties with all member countries of the European Union including Romania.

The guests welcomed the minister and expressed their desire to promote economic relations with Pakistan.