Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) has evolved a comprehensive strategy to expand its community services in the UAE and Pakistan in line with its Vision 2029 to serve the people with dignity and pride, says its top official.
Dr Faisal Ikram, President of PAD, said the largest centre of Pakistanis in the UAE would offer more medical facilities at the Pakistan Medical Centre, which has emerged as an authentic medical institution in the emirate by providing quality services to the students, patients and visitors.
While discussing the PAD’s future strategies at the Guest in Town programme, organised by the Pakistan Journalist Forum UAE, Dr Faisal Ikram said the association has completed a model village for the flood-affected victims in Balochistan.
“We are going to inaugurate the model village project on June 15 and provide every family a new home, 3 cows, and six goats so they can start a new life,” he said.
In collaboration with Al Khidmat Foundation, PAD has set up the model village, which consists of 64 houses, a medical dispensary, a mosque, a school, a playground, and a park. The village consists of 16 clusters, each with four houses, benefiting around 600 people from the Lasbela district, one of the worst affected areas in the recent floods costing $30 billion in losses to the Pak economy.
The project will be powered by solar energy to provide clean water as well as sanitation and sewage facilities for the residents.
Brightening up your day with some wholesome feedback! Vidiya brings her kids regularly to the PAD Sports Complex and shares why they love it here ⚽️ Bring your kids and families for a fun game day at the most affordable sports facility in town! Book now 052 4706594. pic.twitter.com/1kkugWzWsR
— Pakistan Association Dubai (@dubai_pad) June 4, 2023
Around 33 million people, including approximately 16 million children, were affected by heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan last year, destroying critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and public health facilities.
Dr Faisal Ikram said PAD would soon launch phase two of the project so that more model villages will be set up in the province.
“We have acquired 10,000 acres of land in the Naseerabad district to replicate the successful model of the first village in the province,” he said.
PAD is a volunteer, non-profit, social welfare, and cultural organisation for the Pakistani diaspora, serving the community since 1963. With 20 million population in the UAE, Pakistani expatriates are the second-largest overseas community and one of the oldest expatriate groups in the country.
Ready for COP28 Conference
Dr Faisal Ikram, who assumed charge of PAD President in 2018, said the association is ready to play a key role in the success of the forthcoming COP28 conference in November this year through a series of programmes in the next five months.
“We will hold the Green Summit this year to raise awareness about environmental changes. We plan this summit to support the COP28 conference so that the Pakistani community living in the UAE could be aware of the environmental changes,” he said.
Pakistan Association Dubai, with the Islamic Affairs Department & Dar Al Behr Society,is collecting tents, blankets, foldable mattresses etc & transporting them by sea to Karachi. The Pakistan Army will aid them in distributing the goods to flood stricken areas. Now airing. pic.twitter.com/uBbjxNqmS6
— Razia Desai (@raziiia) September 11, 2022
The World Environment Conference COP28 will be held from November 30 to December 12, 2023, at the Dubai Expo Centre, where the association will also participate and highlight its contributions to protecting the environment.
Revealing the paperless strategy and the conference on the environment, Dr Faisal Ikram said PAD would ensure paperless operations by year-end.
“The association has reduced the use of paper by 90% in its operations, and I’m confident of achieving the 100% target soon as all the transactions will be digitised by the end of this year,” he said.
“We are implementing the vision of the government of Dubai, under which the Pakistan Association Dubai is taking environment-friendly measures and is committed to eliminating the use of paper,” he said.
Dr Faisal Ikram said the government of Dubai recently awarded the PAD Dubai Quality Award due to its excellent performance on multiple fronts.
“It is a great honor for the association and the Pakistani community to receive this award for the second time in a row,” he said.
Vision 2029 on track
Dr Faisal Ikram, a seasoned medical professional, said the association is actively implementing its Vision 2029 to serve the Pakistani community in the UAE.
“We have achieved huge milestones in recent years, making the PAD the largest community centre for overseas Pakistanis worldwide. We had launched our vision 2029 four years back in 2019 to focus on women and youth empowerment, a green path and a smart path, while the primary emphasis remains on education and health,” he said.
“We have successfully delivered the not-for-profit medical centre, which was built at the cost of Dh20 million with the help of the Pakistani community and philanthropists from other communities,” he said.
Next big challenge
To a question, Dr Faisal Ikram said the Pakistani community needs a quality school in Dubai as demand picks up in line with the rising population in the UAE.
“Now, building a school is our next big challenge. I am determined to achieve this with the help of my team and the growing community members,” he said.
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Dr Faisel Ikram urged the Pakistani community to come forward and play their role in making this project successful. He paid rich tribute to Community Development Authority (CDA) for supporting PAD and its initiatives.
“We remain grateful to Community Development Authority (CDA), the Dar Al Ber Society, and the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities for their continuous efforts to facilitate our relief work,” he said.
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