1. Introduction

The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development (OP&HRD), provides welfare services to Pakistanis working or living abroad and their families. We value the privacy of Overseas Pakistanis (“Registered Users”) and are committed to protecting personal data entrusted to us. This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain and safeguard your information when you register for an OPF Membership Card, submit documents or make online payments through our web portal and other digital channels. It is framed in line with applicable Pakistani laws and regulations, including the draft Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and the Payment Systems and Electronic Funds Transfers Act 2007.

2. Scope and Definitions

This policy applies to personal information collected through the OPF website www.opf.org.pk, the OPF web portal, mobile applications and authorised payment gateways. “Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable person such as name, National Identity Card number (CNIC/NICOP/POC), passport number, visa/iqama, address, phone number, email address, payment details and supporting documents. “Processing” includes collection, recording, organisation, storage, use, disclosure and deletion of personal data.

3. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of information:

• Identity and Contact Data: name, father’s/guardian’s name, CNIC/NICOP/POC number, passport details, visa/iqama/work permit, nationality, date of birth, gender, permanent and present addresses, email address and phone numbers.
• Membership Information: copies of your valid passport, the passport page showing the Protector of Emigrants’ seal, recent passport-sized photographs, copies of CNIC/NICOP/POC and valid visa/iqama, and the completed membership application form. These documents are mandatory for applicants seeking a voluntary OPF membership card.
• Financial Data: payment details such as bank account information, credit or debit card numbers (limited to what is necessary to process fees), transaction references and amounts. Overseas Pakistanis applying voluntarily are required to pay a one-time membership fee. Fees for duplicate cards or urgent processing may also be paid electronically.
• Usage and Technical Data: information about how you interact with our portal (e.g., login timestamps, pages visited, device type, browser, IP address, cookies and other tracking technologies) to improve services and ensure security.
• Communications and Feedback: records of correspondence, complaints or inquiries made via email, phone or social media.

4. Legal Basis and Purpose of Processing

OPF processes personal data on the lawful bases recognized under the draft Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 and other applicable laws. In particular:

• Performance of a public mandate: OPF is required to register eligible Overseas Pakistanis, issue membership cards and deliver welfare services.
• Contractual necessity: We process payment information to collect membership fees and service charges.
• Legal obligation: We may process and share data as required by law, for example to comply with court orders, tax regulations, anti-money-laundering requirements or lawful requests from regulatory bodies.
• Consent: Where required, we obtain your explicit consent before processing sensitive data or before sending marketing communications. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us.

5. How We Use Your Information

• To register and verify Overseas Pakistanis seeking OPF membership, issue membership cards and manage membership records.
• To process payments for membership fees, education and housing schemes, insurance premiums and other charges.
• To communicate with you regarding your application, membership status, renewal reminders, service announcements, newsletters or updates about OPF programmes.
• To provide you and your dependents access to OPF services such as housing schemes, scholarships, accidental insurance and complaint-handling.
• To maintain security, prevent fraud, monitor portal usage and diagnose technical issues.
• To conduct statistical analysis and research to improve our programmes, provided that data is anonymized or aggregated wherever possible.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

OPF does not sell or rent your information. Your personal data may be shared only with authorised parties under strict confidentiality and for legitimate purposes, including government agencies, financial institutions and payment service providers, third-party service providers, and insurance providers and programme partners. We will not disclose your information to unauthorized parties. Section 38 of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016 makes unauthorized disclosure of personal data punishable by imprisonment or fine.

7. Data Security

We implement administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect your personal data from loss, misuse or unauthorized access. Measures include encryption of data in transit, secure servers, firewalls, role-based access controls, staff training and regular security audits.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to comply with legal obligations. Membership records are generally kept for the validity period of the membership card (five years) plus any additional period required by law.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information is stored primarily in Pakistan. If it becomes necessary to transfer data outside Pakistan, OPF will ensure that the recipient country provides an adequate level of data protection and that contractual safeguards are in place to protect your rights.

10. Your Rights

Under the draft Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, you have the right of access, rectification, erasure, objection or restriction of processing, withdrawal of consent, and the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant regulatory authority. To exercise your rights or update your information, please contact us using the details below.

11. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies, pixels and similar technologies to enhance functionality, remember your preferences and analyze usage patterns. You can control cookies through your browser settings; however, disabling cookies may affect site functionality. For more detail, see our Cookie Policy.

12. Third-Party Links

The OPF portal may contain links to websites operated by third parties. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these websites.

13. Changes to this Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in legal requirements or our data practices. When changes are made, the revised policy will be posted on our website with an updated effective date.

14. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please contact:

Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF)
OPF Head Office, Shahrah-e-Jamhuriat, Sector G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: [email protected]
Helpline: +92 51 111 040 040