Pakistan Forum to reach out to the needy
Members of Pakistani Community living in Qatar have initiated a broad-ranging community platform, Pakistan Welfare Forum (PWF), with focus on reaching out to those in need, a spokesperson said.
The forum will work for the community in the areas of education, health, legal aid, repatriation of distressed Pakistanis, financial assistance for widows and orphans, the official said.
The idea of forming the forum, according to the official, was conceived in March 2009 and by year-end a draft constitution was finalised after a series of community consultations.
“While the ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar will serve as PWF’ patron-in-chief, a 12-member founding executive council and a 16-member steering committee appointed for a period of two years (2010-2011) will be the guiding force behind the forum,” the official said.
“PWF will also serve as creating a greater sense of community spirit among Pakistanis in Qatar,” he added.
Qatar is home to close to 83,000 Pakistanis, not including those that have been naturalised into Qatari or other citizenships.
“Later meetings resulted into formation of sub-committees that are already working closely with the community,” the official said.
The community-driven initiative has garnered immense response and as of November, membership stands at 100 Pakistani expatriates.
PWF members range in profession from doctors and engineers to teachers and social workers.
“As part of its objective, PWF also helps in case of natural calamity in Pakistan or countries like Palestine, Haiti as well as extends a helping hand to individuals from other nationalities in Qatar,” the official added.
“A five-member delegation has visited the severely-affected areas of Pakistan last month and provided flood relief activities to residents of Charsadda, Nowshera, Dir Swat and Muzaffargarh districts,” the official said.
Building on that experience, PWF has decided to build houses for flood victims in each of the four provinces of Pakistan, in addition to Northern areas and Kashmir regions.
PWF has chosen Mohamed Israr Malazai as its first president.
“PWF conducts periodical meetings and has intentions to hold an annual general meeting,” the official said.
Source: Gulf Times
