Bridge magazine

Semi-annual Magazine of World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCOP)

diaspora

Volume 2 | Issue 1 | January - June 2015

Happy PAKISTAN DAY

23 MARCH2015

The Nobel Journey - Pakistan Celebrate Malala's Peace Prize - Cover Story

Integration Dinner With Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

The Statutory Organisations forOverseas Pakistanis - OPF & Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission

Marketing PakistanExclusive Article

3DiasporaBridge | Jan-Jun 2015

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Semi-annual Magazine of World Congress of Overseas PakistanisIssue 1, Volume 2, Jan - Jun 2015; ISSN 2094 - 1905

Board of Governors: Syed Qamar RazaMuhammad Naheed RandhawaMajed Ismail ChaudhryNajib KhanTariq Ramzan ChaudhryMahboob Hussain ChaudhryAG ChaudhryChaudhary Afzal MahmoodDr. Suhail ChughtaiZahid Amanat KhanKamran KhanSuniya Qureshi

Editor-in-Chief:Dr. Humayon [email protected]

Publisher:Edbiz Consulting Limited4 Montpelier Street, Knightsbridge London WC7 1EE United Kindomwww.edbizconsulting.com

Designed by:Fahad [email protected]

Muhammad [email protected]

EditorArif Anis [email protected]

Associate EditorsEsther DasAdnan Khan

WCOP Secretariat:17-19 York Road, Waterloo, London SE17NU, United KindomPhone: +44 208 659 3400www.wcop.org.pk

C o n t e n t s

Message From High Commissioner

Message From Chairman

Message From Co-Chairman

From Editor’s Desk

Marketing Pakistan - Omar Mansoor

Intergration Empowerment & WCOP -Dr Suhail Chugtai

WCOP, World Memory Championship - Ayub Ghauri

The Statutory Organisations for Overseas Pakistanis - Overseas Pakistanis Foundation & Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission - Tariq Suleman

Promoting Coexistence & TogethernessRevd Rana Youab Khan

The Nobel Journey, Story Of MalalaYusafzai - Arif Anees Malik

WCOP Celebrates 2nd Integration Dinner - Makhdoom Tariq Mahmood-ul-Hassan

4th Pakistan Future Leader Conference Oxford - Esther Das

Fighting Poverty, The Akhuwat Way

Leading From The Front - Rabia Bhatti

WCOP Celebrates 2nd Christmas Dinner - Sara Aslam

Sharing The Best Practices - WCOP welcomes Chairman APPNA - Adnan Khan

The Innocent Martyrs

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6 DiasporaBridge | Jan-Jun 2015


Message from Chairman

Sajjad KarimChariman

The British Pakistani Diaspora is the largest Diaspora of Pakistani’s in the world. With over a million British Pakistanis there are more people of Pakistani heritage in the UK then in any other country in the EU. Today the Pakistani community stands as Britain’s second largest ethnic minority group.

Yet, despite a long history of migration that began from the Indian sub-continent since the 1700’s and later amongst Pakistani migrants in the 1950’s, there remains a strong perception of British Pakistanis as poorly integrated within British society. For instance in a 2014 YouGov poll 54% of respondents felt that British Pakistanis were integrated ‘not very well’ or ‘not at all well’. And at a time when the integration debate has become ever-more topical in the UK, it is timely to consider the flip side of the notion of poor British-Pakistani integration and ask to what extent have British Pakistani’s not just integrated, but played a constructive role in British society?

British-Pakistanis, after all, permeate all walks of British life; from the UK’s 17 British Pakistani MP’s, Peers and MEP’s, to business leaders like James Caan, to well-known sports personalities like cricketer Moeen Ali and boxer Amir Khan and indeed even to world renowned pop stars like One Direction’s Zayn Malik and globally acclaimed DJ and record producer “naughty boy” (A.K.A 29 year old Shahid Khan).

Moreover, Britain currently has a Government Minister in Sajid Javed MP, a Shadow Labour Cabinet Minister in Sadiq Khan MP and a former Cabinet Minister in Baroness Warsi, all of Pakistani descent. And screen faces like Mishal Hussain, Martin Bashir, Riz Khan and Art Malik have, over the years, gone some way towards normalising the perception of both Asians and Pakistanis in popular media.

On a wider scale, we have seen the emergence of a Pakistani community that has in some ways kept alive the traditional British values of close-knit family ties and communities, of a cultural aversion to indebtedness and an appreciation of the value of education, of work ethic, business enterprise and entrepreneurship. Today this ethic still lives on in many Pakistani homes and communities. Rather than be a bulwark to integration, it in fact harmonises the best of

Pakistani and British traditions, representing the truest and most authentic form of positive integration.

There are powerful examples of the linkages between Britain and Pakistan, ones that underscore a historic relationship between the two. For example, millions from the Indian sub-continent fought under the British flag during the two world wars, many hailing from modern day Pakistan.

Of course none of this is to suggest real challenges and problems also do not exist within the UK’s one million strong Pakistani community. They do. But they exist in all communities. And they should not be used to propel sweeping generalizations about the British Pakistani community that tars it as a monolithic block.

With much in media headlines to suggest British Pakistanis are not integrating; from stories about radicalized zealots joining ISIS, grooming gangs and even plots to launch attacks on British soil, it is important to bear in mind that this fails to tell the full story. Those implicated in such stories are far outnumbered by those within the British Pakistani community that are appalled by them. And challenges of problematic subcultures are not unique to the Pakistani community; they in-fact often cut across ethnic and religious lines.

Radicalisation and extremism exists beyond just the Pakistani and Muslim communities, as do cases of organized abuse. That’s not to say more should not be done to tackle these very real problems. But we cannot let the story of the British Pakistani Diaspora be told through the lens of a tiny minority that, when given overwhelming coverage, diminish and misrepresent so much the community has achieved and so much that symbolizes real integration.

To do so would be to overlook how far the community has come as a whole. And it would ignore the long history of engagement and cooperation between the two peoples, something that has continues to the present day.

Sajjad [email protected]

Sajjad Karim


I must congratulate the editorial team of Diaspora Bridge magazine for producing the third issue of the magazine. This issue is special for one particular reason that we are introducing our Chairman Sajjad Haider Karim, the Member European Parliament from North West of England, to our readers. Chairman WCOP Sajjad Karim, who is also Chairman of European Friends of Pakistan is lauded by millions of Pakistanis all over the world for his extraordinary services for Pakistan. It is pleasure sharing the news that on the 23rd March, 2015, during Pakistan Day celebrations, the WCOP Chairman will be awarded ‘The Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam’ for his services to strengthen Pakistan/UK and Pakistan/EU relations. This is Pakistan’s highest national honour to non-Pakistanis for services which have helped Pakistan. He is one of only two people to receive the award this year. Congratulation to you Mr. Chairman and members and supporters of WCOP in the UK and all over the world.

In March 2015, the nation is going to celebrate the Pakistan Day in style and substance. This year, a joint military parade of Pakistan’s armed forces will take place on Pakistan Day after a gap of seven years. In Pakistan, the March 23 is venerated because it is likened to a national holiday, with some military processions that honour the day. However, the day’s true greatness is more universal as it demonstrates the ideology of the independence movement; justice for the masses through constitutional measures ranging from electoral safeguards to guaranteed representation in state institutions.

It was this day that the Muslim League declared its demand for a separate homeland to safeguard the sanctity of the rights of the 30 million Muslims in British India. The Lahore Resolution of March 23-24, known as the Pakistan Resolution, represented a watershed in modern Indian history.

The resolution was adopted on March 24, but the first critical step towards its adoption was taken on March 23. The date came to be ingrained in Muslim consciousness over the years as the one on which they had proclaimed their separate nationhood status in India’s body politic which was till then generally considered a uni-national polity.

Through this year’s parade and celebrations, the nation is going to exhibit its resolve against terrorism and extremism and pay homage to those martyrs from the civilian and armed forces who sacrificed their today for our tomorrow. WCOP-UK is organising a community event in London to reflect the spirit of the day.

As you may see, the current magazine would give you intensive insight into what World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis stand for and how we are pursuing our vision and mission. At the same time, we are bracing ourselves for a very busy summer of events and activities. Our signature event, the 3rd Integration Dinner is around the corner. This year we are also planning to celebrate ‘Azadi Week’ in August which would show case the best from Pakistan in sports, culture, fashion, music, literature and community & humanitarian services with the view to engage international audience comprising of artists, community leaders, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, students and opinion makers from several countries.

Another pleasant news is that international Urdu Mushaira & Media Conference will be held in London in May 2015. Some of the biggest names from Pakistan will be attending the events. In May, the ‘Jinnah Centre’, the joint project of WCOP & TVapex will be also formally inaugurated.

As member Board of Governors of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, I am happy on the launch of the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission and wishing its Chairman Mr. Azaal Bhatti all the best in his endeavours. WCOP pledges to support all statutory organisations working for the interests of Overseas Pakistanis.

Happy reading and we shall be meeting soon.

Pakistan - Zindabaad

Syed Qamar [email protected]

Message FromCo-Chairman

Syed Qamar RazaCo-Chariman


Welcome to the 3rd issue of Diaspora Bridge magazine. This issue is dedicated to addressing the matters pertaining to identity, image and integration.

Message from the High Commissioner of Pakistan His Excellency Syed Ibne Abbas and WCOP Chairman Sajjad Karim are highlight of the magazine. Both of the high achievers reflect upon the core theme of what Overseas Pakistanis are all about; handwork, entrepreneurship and enterprise.

Renowned Fashion designer Omar Mansoor shares his creative ideas on marketing Pakistan while wondering on the marvels the country is made of. Dre. Suhail Chuightai, President WCOP-UK touches upon the vital themes of integration empowerment and how WCOP relishes and incorporates both of these values in our practices. He also introduces the high achievers from WCOP-UK who are inspiring the British Pakistanis.

In this issue, two statutory organisations set up to serve the Overseas Pakistanis have been briefly introduced. Overseas Pakistanis Foundation is a federal entity set up in 1980s to look after the interests of Overseas Pakistanis. While Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission is a new body formed through the act of provincial parliament. It is imperative that Overseas Pakistanis provide feedback to both of these organisations and remain involved in the process.

Reverend Rana Youab Khan, member WCOP Board of Governors and former assistant of the Archbishop of Canterbury mulls over promoting coexistence & togetherness for Pakistanis in their lands of adoption.

Our title story can’t be other than the youngest Nobel laureate Malala Yusafzai. We tried taking a snapshot of her amazing journey which has inspired billions of people beyond the division of colour and creed. We hope this story will touch many hearts and warm them up to what Malala proudly stands for and is all about.

This year WCOP’s signature event ‘Integration Dinner’ attracted participants form more than 32 nationalities including Olympians, footballers, celebrated writers and analysts, and high achievers from consulting, finance, health, fashion, nonprofit, interfaith, education,

engineering, government, technology, diplomacy, training & development , coaching and media industries. Our comprehensive report sums up the message delivered by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

WCOP also supported Oxford Union Pakistan Society in organising 4th Pakistan Future Leaders Conference at the historic Oxford Union. The event attracted more than three hundred students from the intuitions of higher learning from the UK who were inspired by the talks of Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, WCOP Chairman Sajjad Karim, Professor Andrew Hamilton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, OB Jones, Matthew McCartney and several other brilliant speakers. Our inclusive report details the brain teasing discussions and interactions held during the three day-long event.

It is also a pleasure publishing a success story from Pakistan. Akhuwat, an interest free microfinance organisation that started in 2001 happened to become the largest organisation of its own kind. It has changed and affected millions of lives for better by inspiring them coming out of the cycle of debt and dependence.

WCOP also held special prayers to express solidarity with the innocent martyrs of the APS Peshawar. Their spirit, resolve and grit will keep us steadfast in our fight against the darkness of extremism.

In the end I would express my gratitude to all authors of the articles in this issue. These contributions have required a generous contribution of time and effort. The publication of this magazine cannot be sustained without consistent support from our Editor-in-Chief Dr. Humayon Dar. It is this willingness to make the effort to

share knowledge, concerns and special insights with the Overseas Pakistani community at large that has made this issue possible. Happy reading and please feel free to contribute to the upcoming issue!!

Arif Anis MalikExecutive Director WCOP

From Editor’s Desk

Arif Anis Malik Magazine Editor [email protected]


Omar Mansoor is a London based fashion designer of Pakistani origin, best known for his couture occasion wear. He dresses British actresses and International royalty and European aristocracy. Mansoor is widely credited with re-introducing the fusion clothing into modern fashion.

Omar MansoorFashion Designer

Marketing Pakistan

a certain positioning attributes that the brand managers cultivate in the minds of its audience.

Perception is almost equal to reality. Funnily, sometimes perception may be larger than the reality. However perceptions are created and can be recreated. Normally, the ministry of industries and trade and the ministry of tourism are responsible for creating marketing plans for pitching unique selling points of the country to attract its target audience. A smaller country like Sri Lanka, which had been suffering from terrorism for almost two decades, declared 2011 as the year to visit Sri Lanka and their successful campaigning of this invitation has brought them record tourists this year. Their immensely successful marketing of packaging the cricket world cup with special offers was a classic example of how a planned effort can get huge dividends for a country which is literally a one city wonder and a drop in the ocean. Not too far from Sri Lanka is Maldives that is even smaller and has just a few beaches to talk about, but its colourful marketing campaign of “the Sunny side of Maldives” has made most residents of this micro island millionaires.

Bangkok, the tourist hub, the global logistics centre-point, the fun and frolic capital has become a stronghold of political unrest, military divisiveness and bloodshed unlimited, as the Red Shirt opposition of the ex-prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has made life almost impossible for the incumbent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Such incidents are, of course, damaging for any country’s economy, especially an economy like Thailand where six percent of the GDP is dependent on tourism. The government, realising the potential enormity of the damage, is taking

serious steps not only to control this rioting but, regardless of the situation, has also instructed its relevant ministries to speed up a marketing campaign to neutralise the damage done to the Thai image and ensure that the great Thai attractions are publicised and advertised enough to neutralise the negativity with positivity.

It is crucial that the government hire country-branding experts to develop a campaign designed to market the many unique selling points of the country to counter the negativity in perception about Pakistan. The campaign theme can be built around the slogan ‘Pakistan, naturally beautiful’, showing the breathtaking mountain peaks, green valleys and lakes abounding in the country along with the diverse culture of the four provinces. The advertising campaign has to be coupled with some very clever lobbying so that powerful media groups like the CNN and BBC, as well as top international magazines, not only show documentaries on the fantastic customs practised in the remoter areas of Pakistan but also air documentaries which show the moderate side of Pakistan where women and less privileged communities of society have performed wonders in many professional, social and athletic fields.

Pakistan is blessed with many more attractions, cultural and geographical. With one of the highest mountain ranges in the world, from green valleys to grey deserts, from riverbanks to seaside, with unique historical and archaeological sites, it is indeed a marketer’s dream as far as having a choice of positioning the country is concerned. Regular runs of this campaign on global media will definitely give the target audience a

‘In luxury fashion, what matters most is your branding.’

I was advised by my teacher at the London School of Fashion Design. Since

then I tried to ensure that my brand communicated everything I do, consciously or subconsciously, regardless of whether you realize it or not.

How much important a brand could be in the consumer’s mind or let me put it as how much the beauty could be inserted in eyes of beholder!

This is a globally competitive world and countries, like products, have to compete with each other for investor and tourist attention. Countries, like people and products, are not born with an image and need a designed and cultured effort to produce a deliberate image based on


chance to associate this country with something other than the stories of bomb blasts and corruption. Even if the government were to announce a competition of creating a campaign for branding Pakistan and fund it through a public/ private partnership, in case their bankrupt coiffeurs cannot afford it, the response from the talent available in this country will be overwhelming. Such an effort to rebrand Pakistan with professional campaigns is the need of the hour to dilute the terrible perception that is being reinforced by a media totally indifferent to the disastrous impact of the scandalous projection of this country.

In a global world where the media has eliminated distances, where telecom advances have made news reports a mere thumb-press away, where social networking has created relationships by just a status update, it is imperative that a repositioning exercise of Pakistan be undertaken with zeal and purpose. The advantage of this seamless virtual connectivity in the world is that the good news travels just as fast as the bad news. What gets seen, talked and debated gets entrenched in the psyche of the audience. Unfortunately, our local media has been a party to feeding the international media on the negative news about the country without playing a positive role in presenting the brighter side of the picture. While

the other countries in the region have perfected the art of marketing and exaggerating their otherwise little know strengths, Pakistan has surpassed in its pursuit of highlighting and splashing its weaknesses. A reverse strategy can not only do damage control to the battered international perception of the country but also help lift the bruised spirits of the people of this nation.



Integration, Empowerment & WCOP

President: WCOP-UKOrthopaedic Surgeon &

Microsoft Certified SpecialistCEO: Award winning

Medico-legal Firm & TVapexLondon Chair: Association of

Pakistani Physicians/Surgeons-UK

Vice President: Brain Trust UK

Dr Suhail Chughtai, FRCS

It will be pertinent to look at the genesis of the organisation while

exploring its core values. World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCOP) is a non-political social enterprise founded by Syed Qamar Raza and Arif Anis Malik in 2012 along with the senior members of board of governors with the vision to empower the Overseas Pakistanis constituting the 7th largest Diaspora in 144 countries of the world. WCOP has been conceived as a global organisation to empower the Overseas Pakistanis all over the world by promoting integration and coexistence in the lands of adoption. WCOP intends to build bridges of understanding among the lands of adoption and Pakistan by promoting discourse, interaction,

understanding, cooperation, tourism, entrepreneurship & enterprise.

The objectives of WCOP are based upon two wider areas namely “ integration and empowerment of Overseas Pakistanis in the country of their settlement outside Pakistan”.

Pakistani Diaspora or overseas Pakistanis are migrant Pakistani citizens as well as persons of Pakistani descent settled abroad. The figures from credible sources indicate that there are around 7.5 million Pakistanis outside Pakistan with UK inhabiting 1.3 million of them (thus making it the largest settled population outside Pakistan). Pakistani expatriates have remitted 55 billion US dollars in the last five years to their friends and families in Pakistan.

Three Models of a Multicultural Society

Pakistanis living abroad whether as settled citizens, long term residents or short term visitors are exposed to three models of a multi-cultural society formation:

A) Segregation

The communities based upon religion, culture, nationality or strong beliefs are kept separate, discouraging any cross-communication thus preventing any significant relationships even though they live in the same area. These pockets of segregation gradually become wider and wider thus setting up a vicious cycle of further division between the communities living in one country but mentally far apart.

B) Assimilation

Major flow of cultural and life style based osmosis is from the majority group though the majority culture may adopt certain elements from the minority cultures it has absorbed such as vocabulary, food, certain cultural habits thus making them part of a unified whole.

C) Integration

Britain being a multicultural society, serves as a great proponent of the integration model, also called multiculturalism. In this country, the cultural minorities are allowed, and to some extent expected and encouraged, to keep their distinctive traits like social and cultural values as long as they adapt to a common and more or less minimal framework of norms and values that guarantee a well-functioning society assisting democracy, promoting respect for human dignity and developing cross-cultural tolerance.

What Integration is important?

Integration (from the Latin integer, meaning whole or entire) generally means combining parts so that they work together or form a whole.

When several cultures exist within one society (multiculturalism), this gives birth to a situation that may evolve in many different ways. Important benefits can be reaped from cultural diversity such as enhanced gastronomy, increased cross-cultural competencies, mental flexibility and tolerance in the population, artistic blossoming, social and political innovations, economical growth


Ms Bashan Rafiq – Chair person, UK-APWA

Mrs Amty Naeem – CEO, Texheeb London (Pak Fashion range outlet)

Mr Gul Nawaz Khan –Immigration Solicitor, Principal Addison Khan Law Firm

Mrs Muniza Baseer – Chairperson, Nazia Hassan Foundation

factors and much more. However, it may also present important challenges, such as discrimination, conflicts and a feeling of alienation – especially if the human tendency to spoil perfectly good opportunities is given free rein. This leads to the need for societies that include different cultures to make certain choices concerning how they wish to respond to this situation: the stakes are high, and indecision represents too great a risk. Traditionally, multicultural societies have chosen between three models.

In WCOP’s perspective of integration, the state collective integration are considered to have been achieved when the migrant population develops a regard for local values, understanding for the local way of life and social customs and enhanced respect for the law of the land in the country of their settlement but at the same time carry a sense of pride for the country of origin by practising social customs of Pakistani culture. However, we should not forget that integration is a two-way street and the best outcomes are only possible when the host culture also welcomes the migrant population and reinforces their new identity through inclusion, respect for their culture and creed and lowering the discrimination.

The integration is considered to be truly achieved when both segments of the above definition are prevented to develop any friction between them, i.e., emigrants living in the country of their settlement freely enjoy and progress in the society while learning how to avoid a conflicting situation that can defeat the progress of integration and vice versa.

Preventing such situation is an art and ability which comes with years of conscious effort and practice. WCOP promotes this approach and attitude of Overseas Pakistanis thus promoting multiculturism while preserving our values, customs, self-esteem and pride.

Why Empowerment is Important?

The other goal of WCOP is to strive for empowerment of overseas Pakistanis which we consider as a social responsibility and a due payback from the affluent and educated overseas Pakistanis to their underprivileged counterparts.

Adding to the existing skill sets, whether they are for earning money or to gain higher social respect in the society, is a concept well supported by WCOP. We believe that such personal development at individual level is incredibly useful to step up economic viability of overseas Pakistanis on individual and collective level but also to raise their image as ambassadors of Pakistan.

How WCOP aims to achieve the objectives of Integration and Empowerment of Overseas Pakistanis?

Our vision is to engage individuals and organisations with higher capability and potential and work along with them on common objectives. WCOP-UK has recently been formed and my intention is to set up a prototype of structure which serves as a model in other settlements. Here is how I think we would be in a better position to achieve our goals.

I propose a four prong structure of WCOP-UK with the following elements (responsibilities specified in detail in the charter):

• Board of Governors

• Board of Executive Advisors

• Panel of Experts

• Friends of WCOP

Board of Governors –WCOP-UK has shortlisted highly capable individuals in the process of appointment as members of the Board of Governors with proven set of skills in their chosen professional field. These individuals have highly acclaimed for the community work at a leader status of a prominent organization. The list of these professionals includes:


Ms Shabana Khan – Director, International Institute for the British Education

Mr Ayub Ghauri – SVP at NetSol Technologies

Dr Asim Shafiq – Chairperson, Nazia Hassan FoundationProf Dr Ahmed Khan – Vice

President Brain Trust UK

Ms Hina Malik – Social Activist and PR Manager, Aeronautical Engineer

Mr Francis Sealey – Chairman GlobalNet21, a social enterprise

Mrs Nadia Chaudary – CEO: CivilizAsian, Business woman and Politician

Mr Ray Keene – Chess Grandmaster, lecturer and Columnist

• Mrs Faiza Ishtiaq – Director, Capital Care Services

Ms Durdana Ansari – OBE Renowned Broadcaster at BBC

Ms Aneeqa Malik – CEO Loop Global, a PR Firm

Ms Faz Zia – Columnist, PR & EventManagement Firm owner

Ms Shehneela Ahmed – Solicitor Criminal Law and First Muslim Woman as an FA approved Football Agent

Ms Rabia Bhatti – Youngest Pakistani female Councillor

Board of Executives – WCOP-UK has also shortlisted individuals with special skills and expertise. Their contribution to the organization would be their multi-talented approach to carry the message of WCOP forward and encourage our membership drive. The list of these experts so far includes:


Mr Tariq Suleman – Researcher, International Politics

Dr Zaituna Shah - Fellow at oxford university, Professor at Kuwait University, Advisor to the United Nations.

Mr Gul Nawaz Khan –Immigration Solicitor

Mr David Wardrop – President, United Nation Associations Westminster UK

Mr Chris Day – Chief Arbiter, World Memory Championship

Panel of Experts– For WCOP-UK, this panel of experts provides information and guidance in achieving WCOP’s strategic goals through collaboration and interdependence:

Friends of WCOP – These professional organisations have joined hands to arrange and collaborate events to support mission, vision and objectives of WCOP in the United Kingdom:


As WCOP intends to promote knowledge, understanding and cultural harmony with international communities existing in the UK

and abroad so the Board of Governors approved of collaboration with World Memory Championship whose UK Open was contested in London on 21st and 22nd of August, 2014. WCOP Co-Chairman, Syed Qamar Raza, WCOP UK president Dr. Suhail Chughtai, WCOP Governors Mahboob Chaudhry and Sajid Atta Khan and Executive Director Arif Malik attended the competitions and the closing ceremony.

The UK Open Memory Championships, which was held at the Apex Conference Centre in Ilford on August 21st and 22nd, and sponsored by TV Apex, attracted competitors not just from the UK but also from Poland, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Algeria, France and Sweden.

Because the World Memory Championships are taking place in Hainan in China in December 2014, many competitors come to the UK Open to assess how well prepared they are to compete on the world stage when around 150 competitors will be taking part.

Syed Qamar Raza congratulated the participants, contestants, organizer and collaborators of the event. He observed that Tony Buzan and other fellows at the Brain Trust inspired and impacted millions of lives all over the world by breaking new paths in learning, creativity and innovation. ‘What truly inspires me is their pledge and commitment to make difference in the world by rising above the stereotypes and differences of caste, colour and creed. WCOP fully supports their endeavour of making this world a better place.’ He commented.

‘World Memory Championship is a noble endeavour

World Memory Championship

World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis

Ayub Ghauri is a seasoned marketing and media professional possessing more than 20 years of industry experience. He holds a business degree from prestigious California State University-Northridge. Currently, Ayub is responsible for image building, brand building, PR, Internal and External communications and data mining. He works closely with Marketing teams in US, UK, Thailand and China to develop strategies for greater market share. He is an SVP of NetSol Technologies and memberBoard of Executives of WCOP-UK.

Ayub Ghauri


which was started to optimise the human potential as it may change the academic, economic and social landscape of the world. The Championship is welcome to go to Pakistan where few of the world’s most intelligent students and practitioners will compete with the best brains of the world.’ Syed Qamar Raza Co-Chairman World Congress of overseas Pakistanis announced in the concluding ceremony of UK Open of World Memory Championship.

WCOP UK President and Vice President Brain Trust UK Dr. Suhail Chughtai pledged support of learning and development initiatives taken by the Brain Trust. He shared that the one of the biggest achievement of memory Championship is that it broke new pathways in terms of possibilities of human achievement. He informed the participants of the latest research in memory and human attainment and pledged TVapex and WCOP would continue supporting such endeavours in the future.

WCOP Executive Director Arif Anis Malik concluded the ceremony and hoped that one day athletes of mind

sport would be able to attract world’s attention to the extraordinary achievements in the field.

Since Tony Buzan held the very first World Memory Championships in 1991 the sport has grown from just seven competitors to thousands today who practice the sport in over 33 countries.

The Mind Sport of Memory is not about general knowledge of having a head full of facts, but of measuring the ability of competitors to memorise new information, in ten different ‘memory disciplines’ in a fixed period of time, and recall them accurately against the clock. The techniques that competitors learn to help them to do this in competitions also helps them in every other area of life and helps them become better at study, exams and all aspects of business life.

The sport is supported by The Brain Trust and organized by the World Memory Sports Council which provides arbiters to ensure that every competition is run to the same standards. National competitions are held over two days, but international events have

longer times for memorisation and recall and take three long and grueling days of hard mental effort.

WCOP’s collaboration was hugely appreciated by the participants from different countries. Most of them appreciated the support and expressed their curiosity about knowing more about Pakistan and how mind sports and personal development endeavours are supported in Pakistan so it gave opportunity to project Pakistan and Diaspora in positive light. The climax came when WCOP Co-Chairman offered the organisers to take World Memory Championship to Pakistan which was enthusiastically appreciated by the participants. Later, discussions were made to explore the possibility and it seems that World Memory Championship competitions may be held in Pakistan in the later part of 2015. Mind sciences competition may prove a huge opportunity to galvanise thousands of

students and professionals in Pakistan by promoting a positive activity where the intelligent students from Pakistan have the opportunity to bring glory to the country.



It gives me great pleasure that our Democratic Government is determined to fight challenges like terrorism and energy crisis and provide maximum relief to the common man. The Government is sincerely making efforts to come up to the expectations of the nation, who gave them the mandate to resolve their problems.

After assuming the charge as Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, it was my first priority to ensure merit and transparency in the Ministry and its attached departments. This Ministry has the mandate to generate employment opportunities abroad and to look after the welfare of the dependents of the overseas Pakistanis and the local employees. Organizations like, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Workers Welfare Fund (WWF), Employees Old-age Benefit Institution (EOBI), Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE) and Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) have been directed to enhance their efforts to increase manpower export and properly look after the welfare of the local employees and the dependents of the overseas Pakistani community.

We are facing lot of challenges, in economic and energy sectors and flood crisis etc and sincerely hope that the government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif will soon overcome these problems.

I, as the Federal Minister of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, assure my best cooperation and help for employees, businessmen and overseas Pakistanis as they are the backbone of Pakistan and are injecting billions of dollars in our economy.

I believe that the valiant people of Pakistan have the will to work together and take the country out of the present crisis and make it a strong welfare state.

Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah RashidiFederal Minister

MESSAGE FROMMINISTER OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS & HUMAN RESOURCE

DEVELOPMENT

Tariq is member Board of Executives of WCOP-UK. He is an expert on Palestine issue and teaches at the renowned School of Asian & African Studies (SOAS) at University of London. He also contributes expert analysis to BBC and other world services.

Tariq Suleman

In this issue, we are specially introducing two statutory organisations formed for the purpose of serving the Overseas Pakistanis. Oversea Pakistanis Foundation is federal in nature and is in third decade of its existence. While the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission, a provincial organisation with its jurisdiction over Punjab province, has been recently formed through an act of provincial parliament. We have tried to introduce both of these organisations to Overseas Pakistanis as majority of them seem to be unaware of their scope and function. Both of the organisations seem quite robust on the paper in terms of their vision and objectives. However, their actual on-ground performance and their impact on the lives of Overseas Pakistanis are yet to be assessed.

The Statutory Organisations forOverseas Pakistanis


Pakistan has remarkable and laudable human resource which is characterized by hard work, dedication and distinction. Our human resource

is classified into the categories of professional, non-professional, skilled, semi-skilled and un-skilled.

Due to rapid increase in population and developing economy, it is not possible to provide jobs to all. The Ministry, therefore, focuses on availing all the overseas opportunities. To ensure meaningful employment to our workforce and its export we have Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Workers Welfare Fund(WWF), Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment(BE&OE), Overseas Employment Corporation(OEC), Employees Old-age Benefits Institution(EOBI) and National Industrial Relation Commission(NIRC) who are also looking after the welfare of local workers and overseas Pakistanis and their families through dedicated performance. Our Community Welfare Attaches (CWAs) are also working in more than 17 foreign countries and are devoting their efforts to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and safeguarding their interest.

The Foundation works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development Government of Pakistan. The mandate of OPF covers its registered members Overseas and their families in Pakistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

In the wake of the large migrant flows out of Pakistan in the 1970s, the Overseas Pakistani Foundation was formed under the Emigration Ordinance, 1979. While registered as an autonomous company under the Companies Act 1913, it works under the administrative supervision of the Ministry of Labour, Manpower, and Overseas Employment.

The board of directors, which governs the organisation is appointed by the Federal government, and chaired by the Minister of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Employment.

Objectives of the OrganisationThe overarching goal of the OPF is to guard rights and advance the social welfare of Pakistanis working or settled abroad and their families in Pakistan. Specifically, the objectives of the organisation can be categorised into the following:

1. To advance the social welfare of the Pakistanis working or settled abroad and their families in Pakistan by Identifying their problems and by contributing to their solutions.

2. Grant scholarships and stipends for studies to deserving overseas Pakistanis children.

3. To provide financial support to community centres, mosques and libraries established overseas and for organising of seminars and national day events.

To Receive & Manage To Receive 1. Welfare Fund created under the Emigration

Ordinance 1979, generate, raise and collect funds.

2. The custodian-ship of security deposits of the Overseas employment promoters.

3. The money of the Foundation in such a manner as may from time to time be determined.

To Establish & Manage:• Vocational training institutions.

• Housing societies & colonies.

• Educational/religious institutions.

• Foundation offices & branches.

• Commercial, Industrial or service enterprises.

• Moveable & immovable properties and Health care centers.

To realise the above goals, the OPF is also mandated to establish and manage vocational training institutions, housing societies and colonies, educational/religious institutions, foundation offices and branches, commercial, industrial or service

Overseas Pakistanis Foundation An Introduction


enterprises, and health care centers. The OPF headquarters in Islamabad, and provincial counterparts and offices in countries of significant Pakistani presence carry out these efforts.

Specific Services provided by the OPF

Education and TrainingThe OPF participates actively in the education sector, and manages a boys’ college in Islamabad as well as 22 public schools in the country. While OPF members are provided preferential treatment in these schools, the OPF has also managed to obtain reserved seats for the children of overseas employees in a number of public schools and colleges.

The OPF also organises vocational training, whereby it has enabled trainees to seek jobs both in foreign countries as well as locally.

Health and Emergency ServicesOPF also has a presence in the health sector, and in return for financial support to certain hospitals such as the Al-Shifa Hospital in Rawalpindi, OPF members and their families receive treatment at preferential rates.

In case of the death of an emigrant in a foreign country, OPF arranges for the transportation of the dead body to the residence of the deceased in Pakistan.

Repatriation of Pakistanis in emergencies

During the gulf war in 1991, and the Yemen crisis of 1994, the OPF played a prominent role in not only repatriating Pakistanis but also in channeling compensation from the United Nations to the affected people.

Pension SchemesThe pension scheme, while open for all OPF members, is particularly relevant for emigrants to the Gulf, since their tenures are fixed and return migration is inevitable. The scheme is flexible, and self-contributory. There are two main plans, depending on whether contributions are lump sum or annual, and the contributions are set at a minimum of Rs. 24,000 for the annual payment plan and Rs. 120,000 for the lump payment plan.

Perhaps more importantly, the pension plan doubles as an insurance scheme, in case of the death of the subscriber (even prior to maturity of the payment period), the pension is forwarded to the subscriber’s nominee and then children, till the youngest child turns 18.

Remittance CardThe remittance card is a scheme initiated to encourage the channeling of remittances through former banking channels. In lieu of such transfers, expatriates are offered services such as duty free import (personal baggage) up to a limited amount and services such as free urgent renewal of passports and separate, fast track emigration counters at airports.

HousingIn an effort to help emigrants setup residence in Pakistan, the OPF has planned and established a large number of housing schemes in different cities of the country including Islamabad, Lahore, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Dadu, Larkana and Mirpur.

PublicationThe monthly magazine “Yaran-e-Watan” regularly informs subscribers to the latest initiatives taken by the OPF.

Board of Governors:1. Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi, Federal

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development – Chairman (Ex-Officio)

2. Mr. Sikander Ismail Khan, Federal Secretary, for Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development, Member (Ex-officio)

3. Mr. Habib Ur Rehman Khan, Managing Director, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation Islamabad. Member (Ex-officio)

4. Dr. Waqar Masood Khan, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Member (Ex-officio)

5. Mr. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Member (Ex-officio)

6. Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Alam Khattak HI(M), T Bt Federal Secretary, Ministry of Defence. Member (Ex-officio)

7. Mr. Tariq Bajwa, Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue, Islamabad. Member (Ex-officio)

8. Mr. Ashraf Mahmood Wathra, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan Karachi. Member Ex-officio)

9. Sheikh Salahuddin, Member

10. Engr. Usman Khan Tarrakai, Member

11. Syed Tayyab Hussain, Member

12. Mr. Masud M.Khan, Member

13. Mr. Muhammad Asghar Qureshi, Saudi Arabia, Member

14. Mr. Tariq Siddiqui, USA, Member

15. Syed Qamar Raza, UK, Member

16. Mr. Muhammad Akram Ayoub Choudhary, UK, Member

17. Raja Liaqat Ali, UK, Member

18. Mian Munir Ahmed Hans, Dubai, Member

19. Mr. Tasneem Syed, Canada. Member

20. Mr. Mumtaz Ali Bhatti, Secretary BOG,


Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission An Introduction

(a) three members of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab belonging to those districts having large number of Overseas Pakistanis to be nominated by the Chief Minister.

Member

(b) two women having experience in issues related to Overseas Pakistanis to be nominated by the Government for a term of three years.

Member

(c) Chief Secretary of the Government

Member

(d) Senior Member, Board of Revenue, Punjab.

Member

(e) Chairman, Planning and Development Board.

Member

(f ) Secretary to the Government, Home Department.

Member

(g) Provincial Police Officer, Punjab.

Member

(h) Chairman, Punjab Board of Investment & Trade.

Member

(i) Chairman, Punjab Information Technology Board.

Member

( j) Commissioner. Member/Secretary

‘I am the second generation of the British Pakistanis and represent the 7th largest diaspora of the world. I am aware of the problems faced by the

Overseas Pakistanis settled abroad and that is why I believe that Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab would play an important role in resolving the problems of the overseas Pakistanis. It is not a toothless body as the government had given a constitutional cover to the Commission and it would be extended all-out support by the government of Punjab. Overseas Pakistanis are the ambassadors of the country and Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab has been set up for resolving their problems. It is a privilege and a challenge both being appointed the first Commissioner of the much anticipated body and to redress the complaints of the Pakistanis living in the Middle East, Europe, America and other countries. I ensue you that the Commission would take effective steps for addressing the complaints of overseas Pakistanis by working with national spirit and shall spare no effort for resolving the problems of Pakistanis living abroad.’ These thoughts were expressed by Afzaal Bhatti, the first Commissioner of the Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab while speaking to Diaspora Bridge after a reception held in his honour.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Ibne Abbas hosted a reception in the honour of Afzaal Bhatti, the recently appointed Commissioner of the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission (POPC) at the High Commission of Pakistan. The reception was held to educate the community of the watershed development in order to resolve the problems faced by Overseas Pakistanis. The said Commission could

be considered the first practical step taken by any provincial government in Pakistan so far with chances of being modelled by other provinces of Pakistan. The gathering was attended by significant number of community leaders and the media persons.

Commissioner of the POPC, Mr. Bhatti shared that the Commission consisted of the Chief Minister Punjab as its Chairperson and an Overseas Pakistani of noted repute and experience nominated by the Chief Minister as Vice Chairperson, and the following members:

Mr. Bhatti shared that two more members (Advocate General of Punjab and Prosecutor General Punjab have been also recommended to be added to the list


(a) Two persons to be nominated by the Commission for a term of three years.

Member

(b) District Police Officer or Head of District Police.

Member

(c) Additional District Collector. Secretary/ Member

for which another amendment is under consideration.

There would be an Advisory Council consisting of Overseas Pakistanis residing in different countries. This Advisory Council may be constituted for one or more countries. The Commission may determine the number of members of an Advisory Council; and nominate members of an Advisory Council. An Advisory Council shall make recommendations for the redressal of grievances of Overseas Pakistanis and shall forward their complaints and suggestions to the Commissioner.

Referring to the powers of the Commissioner, he shared that the Commissioner has been given teeth to implement the rightful considerations through transmitting a complaint received from an Overseas Pakistani to a Government Agency for redressal or make recommendations for policy changes, improvements in the system to the Government or Federal Government on the basis of feedback received from an Advisory Council or the overseas Pakistanis. He is also authorized to refer any complaint of an Overseas Pakistani to the Ombudsman for further necessary action in accordance with law. The Commissioner may recommend disciplinary action against public servants who do not send reply to the Commissioner within thirty days of the receipt of reference from the Commission.

The Commissioner could also recommend initiation of anti-corruption proceedings against a public servant where, on the basis of preliminary findings, a prima facie case for criminal action under the relevant law is made out in relation to protection of rights of an Overseas Pakistani. Apart from resolving these practical issues, the Commissioner could refer the proposals of Overseas Pakistanis relating to investment to the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade and ensure their early processing and hold consultative conventions or workshops involving Overseas Pakistanis;

One of the prominent features of the Commission is that when it refers any complaint to a Government Agency, the Government Agency shall respond in regards to the complaint within thirty days. All Government Departments shall appoint senior officers as focal persons to liaise with the office of Commissioner for monitoring and disposal of matters relating to Overseas Pakistanis.

There shall be a District Overseas Pakistanis Committee in each district consisting of the Chairperson to be nominated by the Commission for a period of three years, the District Coordination Officer as Vice Chairperson and the following members:

The District Committee shall review complaints of overseas Pakistanis pending with different offices in the district and expedite their disposal and send progress reports and suggestions for improvement in the system to the Commissioner.

Mr. Bhatti promised to visit the UK in the next couple of months and hold counselling sessions to include the Overseas Pakistanis in the functioning of the Commission. He appreciated the services of World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis and shared his intentions to include WCOP, UKPCCI and other leading organisations from the UK in consultative and implementation process to offer better services to the Overseas Pakistanis.


People of Pakistani heritage living

in the UK are simply Pakistani Diaspora but interestingly this is not the case with the British Pakistanis. Whenever Pakistani Diaspora is referred anywhere it is perceived as synonymous to Pakistani Muslims, however we must not be oblivious of the fact that Pakistani Christians , Hindus, Sikhs and Ahmadis and a little fraction of those who have no religion, make a very significance part of Pakistani Diaspora, no matter how little in proportion, and all these communities of diverse identities have contributed very positively to the British life. In my mind portrait of Pakistani Diaspora is more than a bridge just between the UK and Pakistan, I rather see them as a butterfly Junction to embrace the globe.

While the major faith community from Pakistan has made valuable contributions in the fields of politics, sports and arts, the Christian community of Pakistan has cultivated an immense influence in the local Church. The names of Bishop Michael Nazir Ali and Bishop Manu Rumaal Shah may be mentioned who served here on some very prestigious posts

in the Church of England and humbly admitted. I too have the unique honour of being the first Pakistani Christian ever on Archbishop of Canterbury’s staff. In addition to that, a Pakistani Christian James Shera was the first Asian Mayor in the UK, the Mayor of Rugby, who had been continually elected as a councillor for the last 30 years. There is a road named after him in Rugby. Again the name Pakistan is elated through these contributions to the British life.

Promoting Coexistence & Togetherness

Revd Rana Youab Khan is an Anglican, born and brought up in Pakistan. He has been involved with Inter Faith Relations as well as Justice and Peace activities and Prison Ministry in Pakistan for many years. Although he comes from a Christian family, he went to a madrasa (primary school) attached to a Mosque in Vehari, Pakistan, which is very unusual for a Pakistani Christian. He served as an advisor to the Bishop of Lahore on Inter Religious Relations and had served as a Prison Chaplain. Another feather in his cap is that he was the first ever lecturer of the Hebrew Language at the Oriental College, University of Punjab, and was the first (Indian-Pakistani) ordained priest appointed to the faculty of the University of Punjab since its foundation in 1870. Revd Rana worked as the International Inter Faith Dialogues Assistant to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion. He is now a priest in the Diocese of London and a member Board of Governors of World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis. He regularly writes on various issues related to interfaith, intercultural theology and persecuted religious minorities.

Revd Rana Youab Khan


While looking at the density of the people sharing the Pakistani origin in the UK and EU, in the UK alone, British Nationality holder Pakistanis constitute 1.3 million apart from the students and professional. Having such a big number, they can offer to this country to build a bridge between UK and Pakistan. With immense love for Pakistan, the UK has also grown to be our second home. Therefore, we need to think of universal patriotism while putting sincere efforts forward to contribute to Pakistan and the UK.

Mapping the cultural differences and adjustment issues, it is important to ascertain the troubled image

of the new generation of Pakistanis. The British born generation of Pakistanis is perceived by few as a community incompatible with British Culture. I have my clear differences to this perception. Britain is a land where multiculturalism is highly celebrated. Despite it, this is also a reality that Britain has its own culture, especially England, and we should live here incorporating with it in such a way that we might adjust ourselves more comfortably. This may be done to without appeasing the white Majority in order to find a better cohesive future for our future generations.

As for the role of British system and the spectrum of support offered to immigrants he had a very optimistic view. ‘On one hand some Far Right racial Organisations namely BNP and EDL are trying to squeeze space for immigrants in this country and in such stance they are targeting the biggest Muslim immigrant community, Pakistanis. Contrary to that, it is encouraging that all main line political parties and wider white British community have no sympathy for these racial groups.

Here it will be pertinent to mention that the British churches believe that any political movement that seeks to divide our communities on the basis of ethnicity is an affront to the true teachings of Christ and is a grave danger to harmonious community relationships. Consequently, voting for and/or supporting any political party that offers racist policies incompatible with Christian faith is discouraged and working in partnership with other faith groups, different ethnicities, mainstream political parties and all people of goodwill, in building cohesive communities and affirming our multi-ethnic, culturally and religiously diverse society Is encouraged. In fact The Church of England passed an anti-racial resolution in 2009 that no clergy of the church of England can be a member of any racial organisation that discriminates others in the name of race and religion.

As a Pakistani, I sometimes wonder that it would be great if Pakistani religious organisations could pass such resolution at any point of history to ban association of their members to organisation which promote hatred, division and discrimination. People who love Pak and want to see it a prosperous and peaceful country need to stand up and be more vocal and proactive against these sort of intolerant and violent activities which have nothing to do with our cultural heritage. British Pakistanis can really help Pakistan and Pakistanis in this specific aspect in many ways. The experience of life they have in the UK needs to be reflected back to Pakistanis. Equality of opportunities, mutual respect, religious freedom and democracy are the blessings

which have found greater acceptance in our homeland.

If I have to enlist the biggest challenge faces by Pakistan, I would emphasise on the significance of restoring the value system more than anything else. Sometimes we think Pakistan’s major problem is energy crisis, law and order, violence, political instability and what not. Whereas, in my view, it is actually the mistrust amongst communities, the lack of love and concern for others and social injustice, that are posing the real threat in Pakistan. South Asia has a long history of diversity and coexistence but the present wave of segregation, set by religious intolerance is setting the bridges on fire which communities built in that area over centuries.

When we look at the genesis of Pakistan, it was built on the principles of protecting minority rights. However, a lack of good governance and certain wrong have deprived Pakistan of its original ethos. Moreover, the misdirected policies have added fuel to the fire. People of Pakistani heritage in the UK are in a unique position to help Pakistan by sharing their positive experiences in the UK in order to help Pakistan grow a sense of national community. Only then can we convey the idea and lend a hand in improving the economy, stabilising the political situation and support in improving Pakistan’s image by enhancing community cohesion and building trust among the communities. In London alone, there are more than 100 different faith communities, and people from almost every corner of the world. Despite this, they are getting on with one another very well. Though the situation is far from being ideal but that signifies that communities may coexist and collaborate together effectively.

We can also learn a great deal from the recent history of the British missionaries serving in Pakistan. For instance, British missionaries, despite of their British background did not use any privileges during the British Raj but lived simple lives to correspond to the standards of the poor people of the land so that they could relate to them easily. They dedicated their lives to educate the uneducated and provide health facilities to the marginalised local people in the Indian Subcontinent. Their services continued even after the partition or establishment of Pakistan. The schools, colleges and hospitals, they built are still serving Pakistanis regardless of their race, creed and ethnicity. However, to save ourselves from the venom of hatred and ignorance, the people of Pakistani heritage living in West can enter the scene sharing the values practised here to promote cohesion and stand in unity against all those discriminations in our country of origin that are taking toil on our growth as a nation.

Diaspora communities can be hugely helpful for Pakistan to improve its image in Britain and wider Western context. The more integrated we are, better and effective our impact will be. It is very important that the Pakistani Diaspora is actively involved in all sorts of community cohesion activities and do whatever they can for the common good. They should try to meet the needs of people in Britain, regardless their faith and ethnicity, and to pose and present themselves as a community which is not over-obsessed of the country of origin but have a great hope and passion for their country of settlement. It does not mean people should forget their past and identity, rather, I suggest, that new identities should be given way to emerge through the acceptance of the fact that we have migrated from a place to a new place and both have contributed to what we are today. This positive stance is the way forward! Let new identity(s) emerge from our immigration experience!



She’s the most celebrated schoolgirl in the world. The one who is hosted in the Oval

Room by President Obama himself, gets Skyped by the secretary-general of the United Nations, speaks to heads of states, followed by the likes of Angelina Jolie, Madonna and Beyonce who consider her as their icon.

Even two years back, Deutsche Welle

wrote in January 2013 that Yousafzai may have become “the most famous teenager in the world.” United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown launched a UN petition in Yousafzai’s name, using the slogan “I am Malala” and demanding that all children worldwide be in school by the end of 2015 – a petition which helped lead to the ratification of Pakistan’s first Right to Education Bill. In the 29 April 2013

The Nobel JourneyStory of Malala Yusafzai

Author & writer Arif Anis Malik is ranked among Pakistan’s foremost international corporate speakers with expertise in communication, NLP and leadership. He is member of the Royal Commonwealth Society and a fellow of the RSA (Royal Society of Arts). He is an expert mentor at the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) UK and has led educational, training & consulting projects for participants from few of the top FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies. Arif Anis Malik has shared stage with the global leaders and celebrated business gurus including President Bill Clinton, Stephen Covey, Tony Robbins, Daniel Goleman, Richard Bandler, Richard Branson, Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump, Paul McKenna, Tony Buzan, Brendon Burchard and James Caan.He is executive director of WCOP and editor of Diaspora Bridge Magazine. He could be reached at [email protected]

Arif Anis MalikExecutive Director WCOP

issue of Time magazine, Yousafzai was featured on the magazine’s front cover and as one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World”. She was the winner of Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize.

On 10 October 2014, Malala Yousafzai made history when she was announced as the co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. At age 17, Yousafzai is the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. Rarely does a student get pulled from class to hear they are the recipient of one of the world’s most prestigious awards. In fact, it has never happened yet. Joyful Pakistanis from all over the country celebrated Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Peace Prize win with music, dance and cake, hailing her award as a victory for girls’ education.

Tributes for the 17-year-old, the youngest ever Nobel laureate, were led on Friday by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who called her the “pride of Pakistan”, while dozens of people from her hometown Mingora gathered at the main intersection to chant slogans and exchange sweets.

Overseas Pakistanis and many Pakistani women were largely overjoyed. Most view her achievement as a well-deserved culmination of a long hard struggle. A struggle that saw this teenage girl from an educated family from the Swat Valley, survive a brutal attack to become a global beacon and an advocate for female education.

For Pakistanis living in the West, Malala represents an instantly recognisable counter-point to what the world perceives about Pakistan which happened to have to have the first female premiere in the Muslim World in the late 1980s. Malala’s persona shields many a Pakistani youth living abroad from a perception that they hail from a culture that represents a lesser moral code. For such youth, Malala’s triumph reaffirms, not only the virtues of moral courage that they have been raised with, but also the pluralism in the West. At its core, her winning the Nobel echoes the value-set of the Pakistani Diaspora living overseas, albeit more dramatic than most: Talented, hard working, and well-meaning people are recognised – and rewarded.

I personally got scores of congratulatory comments from my European and international friends. The lovely Borsum family from Oslo was totally ecstatic. Social worker and humanitarian Kjersti Børsum tweeted for me, ‘We are celebrating for Pakistan, for Malala and you in Norway today’. These words filled with pride for the girl who gave all Pakistanis an opportunity to stand tall and being known for purpose, resilience and triumph.

Interestingly, on the historic day she became the Nobel laureate, Malala had waited to complete her

day at Edgbaston High School for Girls, her school in Birmingham before speaking at the press conference.

“I’m proud that I am the first Pakistani and I am honoured that I am the first young woman or the first young person to be receive this award,” Malala told the world in her first comments after the big news how she found out she was the joint Nobel Prize winner, during a chemistry class on Friday morning.

‘I was in chemistry class and we were looking at electrolytes, it was about 10.15am. I was not expecting I would get this award, and by 10.15am I was sure I had not,’ she said.

‘Then my teacher took me to one side and told me, I was totally surprised.’

‘I decided that I would not leave my school, so I finished my school time and went to physics and English,’ adding how all her teachers and school friends had praised her.

Then like a typical Pakistani daughter, she spoke about her family with love and pride.



‘I want to thank my family, my dear mother, my dear father. My father did not give me something extra, but what he did, he did not clip my wings.

‘I am thankful to him for letting me fly.’

‘Normally when I go and speak like this, the only issue I face is usually that the podium is taller than me,’ the young winner joked as she took to the stage at Birmingham Library.

Malala has been championing for girls’ education from a very early age. When she was 11, she was featured in a documentary where she spoke about the extremists opposed to girls education closing girls schools in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. She also wrote a blog for the BBC about how girls should be able to get an education. On October 9, 2012, while riding a school bus, a Taliban gunman boarded the bus and cried, “Who is Malala.” She was shot in the head — shattering her skull — and survived.

From her hospital bed in Birmingham, England, Malala and her friend Shiza Shahid created the Malala Fund, a non-profit that aims to educate every girl. In January,

FORBES reported the organization received two grants totalling $400,000. While the threats have not ceased, Malala still fights for her cause.

The Nobel Peace Prize committee said: ‘Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzai has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations.

‘This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances.

‘Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education.’

When a journalist at the press conference questioned why Malala was given the prize as ‘she has not achieved anything’, the head of the Nobel Peace Prize committee Thorbjörn Jagland was swift to hit back and defend her.

‘How can you say that?! Thanks to Malala, the issue of children’s rights has been put on the world agenda.’

On July 12, 1997, Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, Pakistan, located in the country’s Swat Valley. For the first few years of her life, her hometown remained a popular tourist spot that was known for its summer festivals. However, the area began to change as the Taliban tried to take control.

Malala attended a school that her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, had founded. After the Taliban began attacking girls’ schools in Swat, Malala gave a speech in Peshawar, Pakistan, in September 2008. The title of her talk was, “How dare the Taliban take away my basic right to education?”

In early 2009, Yousafzai began blogging for the BBC about living under the Taliban’s threats to deny her an education. In order to hide her identity, she used the name Gul Makai. However, she was revealed to be the BBC blogger in December of that year.

With a growing public platform, Yousafzai continued to speak out about her right, and the right of all women, to an education. Her activism resulted in a nomination for the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2011. That same year, she was awarded Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize.

When she was 14, Malala and her family learned that the Taliban had issued a death threat against her. Though Malala was frightened for the safety of her father—an anti-Taliban activist—she and her family initially felt that the fundamentalist group would not actually harm a child. But they did and she was miraculously saved by the urgent support of doctors from Pakistan Army. The shooting left Malala in critical condition, so she was flown to a military hospital in


Peshawar. A portion of her skull was removed to treat her swelling brain. To receive further care, she was transferred to Birmingham, England.

Once she was in the United Kingdom, Yousafzai was taken out of a medically induced coma. Though she would require multiple surgeries—including repair of a facial nerve to fix the paralyzed left side of her face—she had suffered no major brain damage. In March 2013, she was able to begin attending school in Birmingham.

The shooting resulted in a massive outpouring of support for Yousafzai, which continued during her recovery. She gave a speech at the United Nations on her 16th birthday, in 2013. She has also written an autobiography, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, which was released in October 2013.

On October 10, 2013, in acknowledgement of her work, the European Parliament awarded Yousafzai the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. That same year, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. She didn’t win the prize, but was named a nominee again in March 2014. In August of the same year, Leanin.Org held a live chat on Facebook with its CEO Sheryl Sandberg and Yousafzai about the importance of education for girls around the world. She talked about her story, her inspiration and family, her plans for the future and advocacy, and she answered a variety of inquiries from the social network’s users.

He journey to Nobel Prize shows in many ways that Malala is simply an ordinary girl. Yet, thrown into extraordinary circumstances she had the bravery to

continue to speak out and campaign for education and equality, making her a truly inspirational person. Hers is a true story of love, loss and tremendous courage, showing how a single voice can change the world.

I could recollect meeting Malala in May 2013 when she spoke at the Oxford Union. She was met with an adoration usually reserved for a pop sensation, not a political activist. She looked thoroughly aware of the challenges in store when she quoted a Pashtun saying that translates to ‘the toughest of all battles is the battle at home’.

Malala represented most of the Overseas Pakistanis when she spoke with sorrow about how much she missed her country, its smells, sights, and most of all, its sense of community. Despite arriving in the UK in a coma, her survival chances from a brutal assassination attempt unclear, Malala had stayed true to her upbringing. She was dressed in traditional Pakistani attire, behaved modestly, had poise beyond her years, and paid respect to the values she was brought up with. ‘My grandfather was a religious scholar’ she shared, ‘and he taught me the importance of equality, family values, and the sanctity of human life’.

Where does she get her resilience from? Malala tells us that ‘women are stronger than men because, when God had to choose who to grant the power of giving birth to, he chose women’. Indeed, whilst Malala’s father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, is often described as her source of guidance, Malala in fact attributes her strength to her mother. ‘My father always encouraged me to question him, but without my mother’s support it would not have been possible for our family to continue fighting for what we believe in. She is my


anchor’.

Sitting beneath the portrait of Benazir Bhutto, the first-ever female Prime Minister of a Muslim country and the first Asian woman to head the Oxford Union, Malala noted that ‘in the future women, rather than men, will be the ones to change the world’. Whilst lamenting that she is growing old (despite being the youngest person in the room) she confirms that she wants ‘to be a politician, a leader of the people’. Malala said that it was Bhutto’s example that first showed her that women could be a force for good in politics.

For someone who advocates the importance of education, one can’t help but notice that Malala’s busy schedule this term has meant spending less time at school than she should. She agrees. ‘I want to focus on my schoolwork and make sure my studies aren’t compromised. I know this will mean probably missing some TV programmes’. There is still so much more to do and Malala hopes that the Malala Fund will be the first of many steps forward.

Many of us witnessed in surprise when as Malala left Oxford, a student ran up to her and breathlessly announced that although Malala is half her age, she is her idol and deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Malala instantly replied ‘I didn’t deserve it. The only prize I want is to see a world where every child goes to school’.

Last year, sixteen-year-old Malala Yousafzai brought down the house in the USA at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart when asked what she would do if attacked again by a Taliban gunman.

“I would tell him how important education is and that I would even want education for your children as well,” the Pakistani girl said. “That’s what I want to tell you, now do what you want.”

The audience Tuesday gave her a thunderous ovation, and Stewart, who listened intently as she spoke, then made her an offer.

“I know your father is backstage and he is very proud of you, but would he be mad if I

adopted you?”

The audience roared with laughter. But I believe that is Malala’s biggest victory. Perhaps even bigger than winning the Nobel Prize. A traditional Pakistani girl, representing the tenacious Pakistani spirit most of the highest achievers from various parts of the world would dream to adopt.

On Wednesday December 10, 2014, stars and royalty watched Malala become youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner at the Oslo City Hall, Norway. Hundreds of millions of viewers were inspired by her gritty remarks when she said, ‘I tell my story, not because it is unique, but because it is not,’ Malala said. ‘I am pretty certain that I am also the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize who still fights with her younger brothers. ‘I want there to be peace everywhere, but my brothers and I are still working on that.’ More than 8 million of Overseas Pakistanis rejoiced with pride along with hundreds of millions at home for our courageous daughter and sister who dared to choose the road less travelled:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less travelled by,And that has made all the difference.

‘Warm congratulations to Malala Yousafzai & Kailash Satyarthi for winning the #NobelPeacePrize - The British Royal Family’s official Twitter account (@BritishMonarchy)

‘There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. Congratulations Malala & @k_satyarthi. KA #nobelprize2014’- Kofi Annan (@kofiannan)

‘Want 2 congratulate Malala on Nobel Peace Prize. Proud as Pakistani 4 her Nobel prize, esp 4 cause of Education which must b r nat priority.’- Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI)

‘Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi are the world’s greatest children’s champions. They are two of my best friends and two of the greatest global campaigners’- Former PM Gordon Brown

‘Fantastic news, @Malala and @kailashsatyarth rightly honoured for their inspirational work #nobelprize2014’- Former PM Tony Blair (tonyblairoffice)

‘Thoroughly deserved Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai. Excellent day for children’s rights and education’- Deputy PM Nick Clegg (@nick_clegg)

The Queen, Clegg and the Indian Prime Minister: The World Reacts to Malala’s Win


British Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, called for the British Government to work closely with World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis

to combat radicalism and promote integration and coexistence. Clegg commended the contributions of the Pakistani diaspora towards the progress of the United Kingdom and acknowledged that the Pakistani community has enriched the country culturally, socially and politically.

He was speaking at the Second Integration Dinner organized by the World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCOP) in London the other day.

Clegg appreciated Pakistani community’s ethos of hard work and their successful integration into the British society while also retaining their Pakistani identity.

The Deputy Prime Minister termed the UK-Pakistan relations as extraordinarily strong and friendly and assured his government’s continued support to Pakistan in varied sectors of development.

The 1st Integration Dinner was held in London on 24th June, 2014 at the launching ceremony of World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis and since then it became one of the signature event of the organisation. Integration Dinner was sum of the deliberation over the YouGov’s survey on the role of the British Pakistanis in

the United Kingdom. The findings of the survey, exclusively conducted for WCOP, indicated that a majority of the British residents looked at Pakistanis as an ‘excluded’ community who were happier among their own with signs of ‘closed’ and ‘unwelcoming’ gestures to the mainstream community. Another surprising revelation pointed out that those people from outsider communities who interacted with Pakistanis were twice likely to see them in a positive light compared to those who almost never happened to interact with Pakistanis and mainly perceived them through the lens of media and the news. WCOP’s

WCOPCelebrates2nd IntegrationDinner

Makhdoom Tariq Mahmood-ul-Hassan is a business and law graduate with decades of premiere legal practice in the apex courts. He is the chief executive of Makhdoom Law Company. He contributes analysis to various national newspapers based on his legal expertise. He is also member of Board of Governors of World Congress of Overseas Pakistan-UK.

Makhdoom Tariq Mah-mood-ul-Hassan


leadership decided to create such opportunities where high profile guests from the other communities may come across their counterparts from Pakistan. The first dinner in 2013 attracted Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, then Minister for Foreign & Commonwealth Office and James Caan, famous celebrity, Zameer Chaudrey, Chief Executive Bestway Group and approx. 300 guests from 20 different nationalities.

This year a cohesive effort was made by the organisation to expand on the dinner of the last year and include the higher tier of achievers from the British and global communities.

Pakistan Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Imran Mirza, appreciated substantive progress made by the WCOP in creating better understanding and fostering stronger bonds of friendship between the Pakistani and other

communities across the United Kingdom.

He also acknowledged the British Government for its generous assistance in health and education sectors of Pakistan.

Mirza particularly thanked Nick Clegg for his support to Pakistan during the 2010 floods and also towards securing the GSP Plus status in EU for Pakistan.

A special tribute was paid to the Chairman of WCOP Dr. Sajjad Haider Karim MEP who has been elected Member of the European Parliament for three times for North West England. Karim is the first British Muslim elected to the European Parliament. He is Chairman of the European Parliament Friends of Pakistan Group and Vice-President of the European Parliament’s Equality and Diversity Intergroup.

Chairman WCOP, Dr Sajjad Karim MEP, said that “Both Pakistan and the UK are open, outward looking, ambitious nations, with tremendous strengths and an ability to face challenges and succeed. The UK has excelled in providing the best contextual mix to allow members of the British Pakistani community to excel in all fields from business and industry to the professions, from innovators to arts and culture and even politics. The Pakistani community in Europe has a strong influence back in the village, city or town in Pakistan – most often by establishing schools, mosques and hospitals.’

Syed Qamar Raza said that the WCOP is a global


platform for the overseas Pakistanis which aims to motivate them all over the world so that they can play an effective role in national construction and national development in Pakistan. It also endeavours to enable the overseas Pakistanis to integrate and participate in the lands of adoption and the Integration Dinner reflects the same ambition. He also shared that WCOP would be going global in the next one year due to strong interest from the USA, Canada, Australia, Middle East and other European Countries.

President WCOP Dr Suhail Chugtai explaining the aims and objectives of the body said that the Integration Dinner is an annual WCOP event organised to celebrate diversity and community outreach. ‘WCOP is a non-political social enterprise and we believe in working with all mainstream political parties and policymakers.

He mentioned that the Integration Dinner was being hosted to help the global community learn about Pakistan through success stories in humanitarian services, entrepreneurship and leadership. It is also an opportunity to network with likeminded people in academia, media, politics, civil society and diplomacy to create virtuous circle by empowering each other through collaborative efforts for common good and celebrate diversity in an educated, rationale and humane manner while valuing integration and coexistence. Chughtai added.

Dr. Chughtai also disclosed that WCOP was taking the

World Memory Championship to Pakistan in the early next year in collaboration with the Brain Trust, UK.

Simon Hughes MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Minister of State for Justice and Civil Liberties relished his pleasant memories of his visit to Pakistan. He shared he was much impressed with the hospitality and resilience of Pakistanis who have amazing culture, cuisine and set of values. He recounted several high achiever British Pakistanis who have brought honour to the UK and Pakistan.

Executive Director & Co-Founder of WCOP Arif Anis Malik shared that the organisation’s true goal is to empower Pakistan through empowering the 8 million Overseas Pakistanis. UK is the home to the largest

Overseas Pakistanis. UK is the home to the largest

settled Pakistani community outside Pakistan. It is the need of the hour to align our values to the countries of adoption and integrate into the mainstream society by contributing to its core values because the convergence is possible. More successful, high achievers and grounded Pakistanis would prove an asset for Pakistan as well as Pakistan has the 7th biggest diaspora community in the 144 countries of the world, he added.

The event was exclusively attended by WCOP Members Board of Governors including Najib Khan, Majed Chaudhry, Mahboob Chaudhry, Tariq Ramzan Choudhary, AG Chaudhry, Rana Youab Khan, Suiya Qureshi, Afzal Mahmood Chaudhry and Sajid Atta Khan.

At the event the WCOP-UK was formally launched and

the Members Board of Governors and Members Board of Executives were introduced to the audience. It was revealed that UNICEF Ambassador and pop sensation Zoheb Hassan has joined the WCOP Central Board of Governors.

President Oxford Pakistan Society Faraz Janan Khattak and others also addressed. Todd Shea (American singer) enthralled the audience by singing ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’. The event audience included Olympians, footballers, celebrated writers and analysts, and high achievers from consulting, finance, health, fashion, nonprofit, interfaith, education, engineering, Government, technology, diplomacy, training & development , coaching and media industries.

Speakers:


The list of high profile speakers at the event included the following:

1. Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats

2. Simon Hughes, Minister for Justice & Civil Liberties and Deputy Leader of Liberal Democrats

3. Imran Mirza, Acting High Commissioner, Pakistan High Commission

4. Dr. Sajjad Karim MEP, Chairman WCOP

5. Dr. Suhail Chughtai, President WCOP-UK

List of Few Notable Names:• David Wardrop (Chairman United Nation

Associations, Westminster, London)

• Abdul Buhari, British Olympian and Medallist

• Darren Cheesman, British Olympian and Medallist

• Ruth Lowbridge, Chairperson SFEDI

• Professor Matthew McCartney, Director of the Contemporary South Asian Studies Programme, Oxford University

• Andrew Walters, Director Pitman Training

• Baroness Ludford

• Owen Bennett-Jones, Journalist and the hosts of Newshour on the BBC World Service.

• Dr David Taylor, Senior Teaching Fellow, Department of Politics and International Studies

• Prof Francesca Orsini, Academic Staff, SOAS South Asia Institute, Academic Staff, Centre for the Study

of Pakistan

• Dr Matthew Nelson - Academic Staff, SOAS South Asia Institute, Academic Staff, Centre for the Study of Pakistan

• Toqeer Nasir, former Director General Lahore Council of Arts

• Zoheb Hassan, UNICEF Ambassador and

• Ex-Lady Mayor Frances Stainton

• Prince Mohsin Ali Khan

• Dr Ramesh Mehta (Chairman Indian Doctors Association, UK/Europe)

• Dr Rehman Khan (Chairman Essex Doctors Association)

• Dr Ishtiaq Rizvi (Capita Care, Nationwide medical recruitment firm)

Collaborative Organisations:• Costcutters

• Badarians Group

• Brain Trust UK

• Association of Pakistani Physicians and Surgeons UK (APPS-UK)

• British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO)

• Addison Khan Solicitors

• APWA-UK

• GlobalNet21

• United Nations Associations - Westminster, UK



The Oxford University Pakistan Society (OUPakSoc) organised the Pakistan Future Leaders Conference (PFLC 2014) in collaboration

with World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis. The three-day moot commenced from October 31 to 02 November during which 250 delegates from more than 24 British universities attended a number of committee and plenary sessions for deliberations chaired by the leading experts in their respective fields.

The invited speaker include Yousuf Raza Gillani, a former Prime Minister Pakistan, Mehmood K. Achakzai, Chairman Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMPA), Sajjad Karim, a Member of EU parliament, Syed Ibn e Abbas, Pakistan’s High Commissioner in UK , Kamran Arif (Co-Chair HRCP), Moeed Pirzada, Saleem Safi, Lord Mayor of Oxford, Owen Bennet Jones, Prof Ifikhar Malik and others.

Main speeches of the PFLC 2014 took place at the world’s most prestigious debating chamber, The Oxford Union, on 1st and 2nd November, 2014. It started with a Welcome at the one of the historic Oxford University landmarks, The Sheldonian Theatre on the 31st Oct. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Andrew Hamilton, The High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Ibn Abbas, and the Lord Mayor of Oxford Lord M. S. Abbasi, welcomed the delegates

on the behalf of the University, Pakistan and the City of Oxford, respectively.

The second day was dedicated to committee sessions with various experts. PFLC has been structured into six committee; namely: social and scientific entrepreneurship, foreign affairs and international relations, national security and interior affairs, legal affairs and human rights, media, health and education.

On the third day, the committee sessions were concluded in the morning and the recommendations from the relevant committees were presented in the historic Oxford Union. Later the keynote speeches were conducted with the office of the Oxford Union and the session culminated with former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Glani’s speech.

Background:

Oxford University Pakistan Society is a student society in the University of Oxford for Pakistani nationals, people of Pakistani ancestry and everyone interested in Pakistan. It was founded in the 1950s and is one of the oldest Pakistani societies in the United Kingdom. The society is renowned for its cultural events and talks by well-known and influential figures from Pakistan. It is widely considered to be one of the most powerful and influential student-run Pakistani societies in the world.

The Oxford University Pakistan Society (OUPaksoc) and its partners (SOAS Paksoc and Cambridge Paksoc) started organising the Pakistan Future Leaders’ Conference (PFLC) as an initiative to bring together students, academics and policy-makers to discuss and debate vital issues relating to the Pakistani community in the UK. The Conference brings together outstanding students of Pakistani origin here in the UK and helps

4th Pakistan Future Leaders Conference Oxford

Esther Sonita Das holds master degrees in Education, English Literature and ELT. She defines herself a teacher by passion and a Christian by faith and a Pakistani at heart. Esther contributes to several advocacy and empowerment focused community organisations.

Esther Das


them build critical leadership skills to groom them into successful leaders of the future.

The PFLC aims to give the participants a greater understanding of their roles as responsible citizens and serves as a platform for the youth to think about problems facing the nation and the British-Pakistani community and propose possible solutions. Usually, the delegates from all over the UK split into committees to discuss issues of pertinent importance to the country. Each committee is chaired by leading experts in its area of deliberation.

The current body of Pak Society of the Oxford University includes Faraz Janan Khattak, President, Rafiullah Kakar - Vice President, Muhammad Khurram – Secretary, Farukh Arslan – Spokesperson, Mariam Naveed – Treasurer, Rabia Nazir - Events Coordinator

Day One:

The inauguration gave the audience an opportunity to listen to Andrew Hamilton, the VC of the University of Oxford who depicted a brief history of the University with a special detail of producing hundreds of Oxford Graduates from Pakistan who left lasting effect on Pakistan’s social fabric especially Ms Benazir

Bhutto, Imran Khan. He further added that the global contribution of Oxford is inspiring and challenging leaders on the world stage. The speech was concluded with a former declaration of the Opening of the Conference.

Lord Mayor of the Oxford, Lord M S Abbasi was the next to hold the stage. He formerly welcomed all the prestigious guests and participants before defining a leader as ‘someone who could see the other side of the horizon’. He emphasised the leader’s quality of stewardship by sharing a personal example and emphasised those who look forward to lead at any stage , in any capacity to cultivate a self-less, honest,


open-minded and objective view point.

Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom said, ‘Youth is the future of any nation. We in Pakistan too have expectations from our students at Oxford and elsewhere who will have an important role in shaping the destiny of the country.’

The High Commissioner told the audience that in order to recognise the importance of youth, the High Commission was planning to organize a Youth Convention in early December, this year. He advised the students to be respectful to local laws and always remember that each one of them was the Ambassador of Pakistan.

Abbas lauded the role of over a million strong Pakistani diaspora in cementing the excellent relations between the UK and Pakistan. He said the British-Pakistanis had contributed a lot in the UK’s economic development, politics, culture and promoting multi-culturalism. The High Commissioner also commended UK’s support in health and education sectors of Pakistan.

Speaking about the situation in Pakistan, Syed Ibne Abbas said despite challenges the country was moving forward. The democratic traditions were taking root and a democratically elected, representative government was at the helm of affairs, he added. The High Commissioner said that the economy was also improving and moving in the right direction.

Sjjad Karim MEP opened his speech by an exigent statement that Pakistan is not facing a shortage of leaders, but that of leadership. He compared the governance structure of both the countries and pointed towards the core need to be addressed by the future leaders. He invited the Pakistani Diaspora to stand in this gap and be the resolution by networking in order to make the best utilization of our existing resources, especially man power, in the same fashion as BRIC economies are doing. He challenged the future leaders to address and carve a way forward in these words: With every fibre of your being, go for nation building. He emphasised the reasons WCOP collaborated with PFLC and asserted to obtain those objectives.

The stream of speeches was punctuated by the prize distribution ceremony with diverse categories where high achievers were recognised and students exceptional achievements were celebrated. Vice Chancellor University of the Oxford awarded shields to Zoheb Hassan, Sajjad Karim MEP, Syed Qamar Raza, Yasir Ali, Mehrun Nisa and Faraz Janan Khattak.

Day Two & Three: Debates, Deliberations & Recommendations

The next two days of PFLC kept the similar pace and shape. The first half of both the days was set apart for 5 different committee meetings namely: Health & Education, Media, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affair, Legal Affairs & Human Rights and Social and Scientific Entrepreneurship. Each committee was held at different colleges at University of Oxford with one appointed leader of discussion paired with experts contributors and bunch of brilliant graduates from more than two dozen universities from the UK. Every Committee was tasked to gather suggestions and resolutions to conclude the discussions. The creative flow of the day was then punctuated by the lunch break which energised people to be attentive and absorbent to the ideas, shared through expert speeches in the colossal and awe-inspiring building of Oxford Union in the afternoon. Each day was concluded by a televised discussion by gigantic media talk show hosts from ARY and GEO TV channels. The TVapex team covered the whole event.

There was an impressive list of speakers in the afternoon sessions. On the 1st of November, Prof Iftikhar Malik , a history professor at Bath University opened the session. He depicted a beautiful relationship between the disciple and the mentor illustrating it through the bond shared by Shams Tabraiz and Rumi. This idea was then junctioned with the advice of life-long learning by employing the art of critical thinking in order to keep the flame of knowledge which humbles and immerses wisdom within an individual.

Professor Mathew McCartney presented a talk given a title: Betrayal of Pakistan. Four different leaders were pointed with examples from the history of Pakistan


and the world. Imran Khan, Zulifqar Ali Bhutto, Stalin and Napoleon were referred to as the examples of leadership inspired by Talent, Charisma, Fear and Genius respectively. A very strong statement was made to phrase the core problem of Pakistan’s lack of leadership thus: There are many leaders in Pakistan but few leaders FOR Pakistan.

Mr Kamran Arif, representing the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan ( HRCP) held the podium and shared his concern on the state of the human rights issues in Pakistan. A scarcity of basic human needs provision was indicated such as scarcity of clean drinking water in certain areas of Sindh and Baluchistan. He emphasised upon a consistent implication of mass education programmes and equal division of resource among the provinces by the leadership would be crucial to uplift the quality if human rights for all.

Day Three:

Mehmood Khan Achakzai said that Pashtuns had suffered more than the whole world put together in the war against terrorism as thousands of them had died as a result of the wars imposed on them by the outside forces. He said that Pashtuns came from a tolerant cultural background and had never been involved in sectarianism or terrorism. “There is a propaganda going on in the world that they are extremists but it’s a wrong picture of the people who are a victim of conspiracies. Pahstuns, whether rightist or leftist, have a duty to erase this type of definition.”

Achakzai said he was hopeful that Pakistan would have a dynamic future because the Punjab-based leadership had come out strongly in favour of democracy. “It’s great that the democratic Punjab is making a stand against dictatorship. If you look at what’s happening in Pakistan, you see that the entire judiciary, executive, media and Parliament are on the same page for democracy.”

Former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, in his keynote speech emphasised that that by restoring the Constitution of 1973, his government had helped strengthen the Federation. Gilani said that his party

would not allow anyone to abrogate the Constitution again as his party had offered huge sacrifices in defence of democracy and the Constitution.

“We made Parliament powerful and made the prime minister answerable to both the Houses. In the Upper House there was no representation of minorities, we made amendments to the Constitution and as a result minorities are represented in the Senate. Nawaz Sharif has become prime minister again because of the amendments we introduced,” said Gilani.

He said that terrorism was Pakistan’s biggest problem and it was due to this recognition that he took Parliament into confidence and ordered Swat and Malakand operation. Gilani said that Pakistan had paid a huge price in the war against terrorism and Pakistan’s frontline status meant that the country was fighting on behalf of the world.

The former PM said that his son remained missing which was linked to Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and religious militancy. “After my son was kidnapped, the first call I received was from Abu Yazid who said that my son had been kidnapped as a revenge for our operation against the militants,” said Gilani, adding, “You have to pay a price for becoming the prime minister”.

Gilani said if Parliament was strong, there was no need to be threatened by other institutions. Gilani claimed that Pakistan’s establishment was answerable to him while he was the PM and heads of Pakistan’s spy agencies “felt proud to come before Parliament”. He said, “That’s the change I gave to Parliament. They were made answerable. We ensured freedom of press and increase rights of minorities.”

Gilani admitted that his party failed to highlight the good work which was done in 5 years and blamed this for his own party’s poor media handling. “We were not able to sell ourselves properly. We did a lot of good work more than anyone else but we couldn’t market it properly. But it’s also true that we were not given equal opportunities. Other parties could hold rallies but we were bombed, kidnapped and harassed.”


PFLC Committee Recommendations:

Committee chairpersons, experts and contributors included Saleem Safi, Aamar Ahmed Khan, Adil Shahzaib, Moeed Pirzada, Prof. Mathew McCartney, Prof. Yunus Samad, Aneeqa Malik, Tommy Hutchinson, Dr. Suhail Chughtai, Arif Anis Malik, Fouzia Siddique, Fatima Jamila Anwar, Prof. Iftikhar Malik, Kamran Arif, Rubab Haider Rizvi, Adil Shahzaib, Huma Mustafa Beg, Dr. Syed Ahmer Shah, Asif Farooqi , Khurram Mujtaba, Javed Akhtar , Tony Bradley , Mohammad Ali, Dr. Faisal Khan and Shabana Khan.

Following recommendations were made by the Health

& Education Committee:

1. The Federal Government should increase its spending on health budget by at least 5 % in the next annual federal budget. Provinces should follow suit. Accountability and effective monitoring are to be ensured for the allocated budget expenditure to avoid the misuse of resources due to corruption and bad planning.

2. In order to counter the trend of the mass exodus and brain drain of medical doctors, the state must make the medical profession financially lucrative in the state structure (federal and provincial).

3. Pakistan has an alarmingly low doctor/ nurse ratio. New nurse training institutions should be established in the federal and provincial areas. In order to provide better health services in rural areas, the government should introduce a scheme for medical students where they will have to do post-study internship/house job in a rural community for two years.

4. In order to sensitize general public towards the tabooed/controversial medical issues such as HIV/AIDS, family planning and polio, the government must take help from the local, national and international religious figures who have mass following among Pakistanis. Media campaigns that would target the high-risk groups can also be


helpful in this regard.

5. Education sector should be government led. Federal and provincial governments should focus on primary education. For performance indicator in education sector, dropout rates, instead of enrolment figures, should be taken into consideration.

6. The primary schools should have computer and library facilities. Students should be given proper civic education at school level and should be given awareness about their rights and responsibilities as Pakistanis. For career counselling and ensuring psychological health of the students, student councillors should be qualified career counsellors,

psychologists and psychiatrists.

7. For school teachers Pakistan certainly does not have a problem of brain drain. However, it is evident that those who usually are unable to get any other jobs end up in school teaching. In order to attract able and motivated individuals, remuneration and perks of teachers must be enhanced to the level of civil servants. By attracting motivated and qualified individuals as teachers, the quality of education can be improved significantly.

National Security and Interior Affairs Committee

Following recommendations were made by the committee:

1. It was recommended that war on terror should be owned up as Pakistan’s war. It should be fought against as Pakistan’s own call and civilian government and civil society at large should back the military forces as one nation.

2. Minorities should be provided full state and social security to bring out their best potential. Lawlessness is all pervasive and its victims in Pakistan may be traced in all sections of the society. State’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of all citizens of Pakistan regardless of their gender, creed and political and ideological affiliation.

3. Waziristan IDPs (independent displaced persons) have added to the earlier numbers of IDPs in KPK in the aftermath of Operation Zarb-e-Asab. It was noticed that media, parliament and civil society are not paying the right kind of attention to the IDPs the way IDPs from Swat were attended to so support and massive media awareness are required as winter is approaching. National and international community is to be engaged in regards to the degree of suffering.

4. General consensus was found that the state need to fulfil its duty by walking an extra mile for the underprivileged Baluchis and there have been some positive developments in the province. In the current elected government, the Chief Minister


Dr. Abdul Malik is the first non-sardar entity from a nationalist party. Military and State alike have a role to play so that the denied rights of the Baloch Community should be addressed.

5. The Future of revolutionary politics seems bright due to the prevailing unrest in Pakistan. However it might take more than expected time to reverse the situation created by conventional Pakistani political practices and sudden change has been ruled out.

Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee


1. It was unanimously agreed that Islam supports the all-inclusive model of governance and the totalitarian view of Islam being imposed to segregate minorities and cast them out of the main-stream fold, the root cause of this chaos.

2. It was agreed that solutions will come from the grassroots, contrary to the popular opinion, which looks towards those living in a ‘bubble of affluence’.

3. The third significant focus was the role of Judiciary, which needs an’ overhaul given the fact not a single perpetrator has been convicted despite the fact that there are 70,000 victims of terror, mostly women and children.

4. It was lamented that the minorities are politicians’ exclusive agenda for the Minority Day. These issues need to be addressed by the political leadership. The youth which makes 2/3rd of the Pak population were emerging as a ray of hope that ‘the vibrancy and diversity of Pakistan will be reclaimed.’

Media Committee:

The Media Committee had a very engaging and engrossing discussion with some appalling revelations regarding the operational faults of Media industry in Pakistan. Starting from a very technical point of differentiating the conventional broadcasts and digitised on-line TV it led to the significance of Media for bureaucracy, the international dimensions of media

, media regulations highlighting the role of PAMRA to the exploration of diverse models of Media Control.

The contribution of General Musharraf was acknowledged in establishing the first ever media regulatory body in Pakistan. However, it has been monopolized either by the Political power or the Owners’ interests. That is why often times the same scenario is painted in such distinct hues that one media feed contradicts the other. This is the obvious result of media which is instructed to shape agenda for or against certain institutions, personalities or operational bodies.

Many recent news and the way those were handled by different media channels especially TVs were discussed. Nevertheless, it was concluded that the root cause of the inefficiency of Media in Pak is that no agency is autonomous; it is being controlled by the political powers.

It was observed that cable operators provide a pipe line of structure in the architecture of control. Popular talk-show host Moeed Pirzada chaired the session with Dr Sohail Chugtai ( MD Apex TV) however due to the sensitivities of the issues involved the only suggestion the committee provided was to strengthen PAMRA and make it autonomous to function properly, in line with British Office of Communication ( popularly known as Off Com).

Foreign Affairs and International Relations Committee:

The Foreign Affairs and International Relations committee discussed the Pak-Us relations, Future of Post-Nato Afghanistan, International threads and emerging threats of Terrorism, Pak-India relations, Kashmir and relations with the Muslim world. They came up with the following suggestions agreed by the majority voting:

1. The elected representatives and stakeholders should form the foreign policy of Pakistan in accordance with the vision of the founders of Pakistan.

2. Pakistan post 9/11 policy in relation to Afghanistan was evaluated. Another group was critical of US, ISAF and international community’s role. The recent developments in Afghanistan were appreciated as they might solve the crises. It was agreed that the regional solution should be a way forward in Post-Nato Afghanistan. Pakistan should play an effective role supportive to the Afghans.

3. It was agreed that Pakistan should strive for broad-spectrum, log-term relations people centric relations with the US in the interests of the people of Pakistan.

4. Terrorism, the debate primarily focused on the dynamics of the terrorism issue inside and outside


Pakistan. Socio economic factors are playing vital role. We must understand the role of external forces as well, particularly the USA, Saudi Arabia, India and Iran. Conclusion: Pakistan should adopt comprehensive and holistic approach and not only concentrate on the military aspect but the religious and socio economic and external aspect as well.

5. Opinion was deeply polarised against India. A significant number of participants were of the opinion that the Indian Government didn’t know who controlled the levers of India Pakistan policy. Trade was not big enough incentive as Pakistan makes a small consumer market for India. However energy needs could be explored. Central Asia and pipeline may be huge incentives. Pakistan could lead the block and India can benefit from the situation on win-win basis.

6. About Kashmir, the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir was supported. It was agreed that the removal of article 370 from Indian Constitution by eliminating its special status would be deadly. Prof. Dev Ji argued that for Indian Muslims, Kashmir is not Muslims problem but a problem of Kahmiris. People of Pakistan except Punjabis are not much enthusiastic about it either. Both India and Pakistan are not genuinely interested. Couldn’t agree on consensus. However it was concluded that between India and Pakistan, cooperation and competition are the way forward but must be defined by the people of Pakistan.

Social and Scientific Entrepreneurship Committee:


1. The committee agreed that scientific entrepreneurship is the way forward because it leads to rapid job growth, increase in long-term productivity and GDP growth. While there have been a few efforts on the part of the government across the country in Pakistan, we still lack a conducive environment for entrepreneurship, of the kind that is seen in other parts of the world e.g. Silicon Valley in California, the successes in Boston and Israel so a comprehensive Social & Scientific

Entrepreneurism Policy needs to be formulated by the Federal Government of Pakistan.

2. A strong entrepreneurial ecosystem consists of several individual elements, such as leadership, culture, capital markets and open-minded customers that combine in complex ways. A holistic approach is needed to address each and all of these areas since each one on its own is conducive to entrepreneurship but is not sufficient to sustain it.

3. At the moment, Pakistan lacks this appreciation and awareness both at the leadership level and the university level. The way forward from here would be awareness at the leadership level in first place. We also took notice of the lack of media involvement when it comes to awareness about entrepreneurship in general and technological entrepreneurship in particular.

4. At the moment, universities are no exception to this and steps have to be undertaken to foster and nurture the entrepreneurial culture especially in engineering universities of Pakistan. Approaching the higher education commission and engaging relevant officials from the Ministry of Education would be the way forward. The committee also agrees that attempting to emulate Silicon Valley is a recipe for disaster as that evolved under a set of unique circumstances. Instead, we need to develop a strategy in the context of our cultural and political situation. Lack of trust amongst peers, lack of collaborative culture, and hostility in the event of failure were considered important cultural barriers that need to be addressed.

The three days conference overall attracted approximately one thousand attendees from the most prestigious learning institutions of the UK.

Overall debates, discussions and analyses were positive and they projected Pakistan’s future in an optimistic manner. Challenges were acknowledged but at opportunities were highlighted as well. The gloomy voices were present here and there but they were engaged in dialogue which mostly resulted in positive outcome.

The TV shows also provided ample opportunity to the delegates to express themselves profusely. Divergent and confusing opinions kept surfacing on democracy, governance, corruption, transparency and the role of youth in Pakistan. It was also felt that more opportunities of learning and development require to be added to the menu of the next conference. Particularly, it was observed that the next conference should have significant focus on the issues and challenges faced by Overseas Pakistanis in general and the British Pakistanis in particular.


Beset by all sorts of troubles, the catalyst was a middle-aged woman. Poverty-stricken and

just-widowed, yet unbowed in spirit, she wanted to fight off adversity with self-respect and dignity. She was crying for an opportunity to be given a momentary prop, some succor to be able to lift herself up from her bootstraps. Her prayers were granted. She was the first person to be loaned a sum of Pak Rs10,000 (around $165 at the exchange rate of the early 2000s) in what was to become a movement that has since resurrected 500,000 people out of abject poverty, with the count on the rise by one every three minutes at this point in time – December 2014.

Between the first beneficiary of an interest-free loan and the 500,000th, the journey has taken 12 years and a bit.

The rapidity with which the movement has grown in recent times, the momentum it has gained, the acceptance it has found with the national and provincial governments, Akhuwat’s outreach may soon be pulling a family out of poverty every few seconds, with opportunities and choices to carve its own destiny.

Juxtaposed in the backdrop of figures that by conservative standards put the percentage of people living below poverty line in Pakistan at 40 per cent, about 80 million out of a population of 190 million, the difference Akhuwat

is making in alleviating the scourge and its potential to grow are indeed enormous.

The seed money with which Akhuwat had started was around $5,000. It has by now risen to a staggering $3 billion, and the upward trajectory is just phenomenal.

To the extent that in the year 2013, all its key indicators have leapfrogged to almost double year-on-year compared to 2012. And in 2014 so far, the steep upward trajectory has been maintained.

What is more, Akhuwat’s unique ‘No Interest’, ‘No Frills’ microfinance management model, with its remarkable sustainability and growth, has sparked interest amongst the governments, the international donors and the academia.

The government of the Punjab province, the largest of the country, aligned its poverty alleviation programme, putting a fund of $2 billion at Akhuwat’s disposal. The government of Gilgit-Baltistan in the up-north has replicated it with Rs200 million ($20 million) that.

Lend with Care, one of the largest amongst microfinance donor NGOs in the world, is collaborating with Akhuwat after carrying out its independent due diligence.

Strong and self-confident, Akhuwat

Fighting Poverty, The Akhuwat Way

A medical graduate from King Edward Medical College, Dr. Amjad Saqib was selected for the nation’s topmost bureaucratic institution, the elite Civil Service of Pakistan with distinction in 1985. Dr. Amjad Saqib took his Master’s degree in Public Administration through Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship from the American University, Washington D.C., USA. Dr. Saqib is founder of Akhuwat and Akhuwat is his real passion but he also renders honorary other services for many other NGOs. Besides his pro bono work for Akhuwat, for a living Dr. Amjad Saqib is a highly sought after consultant, and has provided consultancy to various highbrow international development agencies, such as the Asian Development Bank, International Labour Organization, the UNICEF, the World Bank, Canadian International Development Agency, USAID and DFID.

Dr. Amjad SaqibCEO, Akhuwat

Based on a spirit of sacrifice and sharing, Akhuwat’s ‘No Interest’ vision is transforming lives


is spreading its wings beyond Sharia-compliant microfinance, to other philanthropic endeavours meant at creating opportunities and services for the poor in the realm of health, education and now it is all set to launch its Clothing Bank – for those who cannot afford to even buy second hand clothing.

For the uninitiated, while Akhuwat’s values and operational system has been inspired by Mawakhat-e Medina and is Sharia-compliant, its core philosophy is humanism and it is not a ‘Muslims-only’ or even ‘Muslims-preferred’ organization.

Non-political and non-sectarian in its outlook and worldview, and working for all religions Akhuwat has held an overwhelming number of its loan disbursement activities in churches and temples where Muslim borrowers were part of the group.

A most welcome upshot of this approach has been better understanding, tolerance and harmony across religious divides.

Though Dr. Amjad Saqib’s career suggests, the seminal idea must have been in gestation for years, since the days he worked in the public development sector, but self-effacingly he always presents that proud woman as a catalyst.

And she remains an iconic image with Akhuwat. She is remembered and spoken about very fondly at every loan disbursement ceremony – mostly held at mosques, shrines, churches and temples – and presented as an exemplar, with standout attributes of honour and integrity, reliability and hard work.

Putting her on a pedestal as role model is not just meant to present the borrowers with a real-life figure to inspire and emulate. It has also fired up donors, workers and volunteers to pitch in more, to make ever greater endeavour to reach out to as many in as short a time as possible – in order to change lives for the better.

Dr. Amjad Saqib, the progenitor of the idea and founder of Akhuwat along with a clutch of his friends and acquaintances, from the word go wanted to create a unique model where the overbearing jargon of financial cost and operational cost are, as far as the borrower is concerned, rendered irrelevant.

If you are needy and willing to lift yourself up by your bootstraps, Akhuwat is there to assist you and your little project with finance at absolutely no cost, for no collateral and no strings attached – other than binding you in moral and social tangles to pay back the principal.

At the top of it, Akhuwat’s work force – a blend of down-to-earth staffers most of whom either belong to the same strata of society or only slightly above

its borrowers and an unending stream of do-gooder volunteers and interns – keep on trying to instill the same spirit of giving into each borrower that he or she (there is around 40 per cent of the latter in what is a remarkable gender mix in a country which is male dominated) not only have to be responsible citizens but sensitized to others’ needs.

The Akhuwat staffers have been trained to go out on a limb in inculcating a spirit of sharing and camaraderie through pre-lending training, by listening to the individual issues and problems of the borrowers and try to solve them. Quite often it includes providing a shoulder to cry on.

This human touch creates a link, a bonding between Akhuwat and its borrowers that is far more durable than a cold, transactional affair that the microfinance business generally is.

Most Akhuwat borrowers keep in touch, and quite a few keep on returning for a second or third loan when they are extending their business, are in need of running finance or want to tide over an emergency.

One amongst the four basic premises or assumptions that are the cornerstones of the Akhuwat model is turning borrowers into donors. And an overwhelming number of Akhuwat borrowers have indeed become just that.

Akhuwat’s journey is in its thirteenth year now, its legend a testament that where there is a will, there is a way, and that no contribution is too small, no effort too humble if the intent is to make a difference.

All Round Growth

Since its inception in 2001, Akhuwat has been extending its outreach throughout, with its year-on-year growth quite impressive. But in recent years this progress has accelerated and really gained momentum to now be in the zone of phenomenal.

In Pakistan, Akhuwat is now a truly national entity, on its way to soon embrace half a million families in 2014 alone.

Following are the key indicators for 2013 compared to 2012:

Akhuwat’s Four Core Principles• Providing Interest-free Microcredit

• Optimum Use of Religious Places

• Inculcating Spirit of Volunteerism

• Converting borrowers into donors

• Akhuwat: Sustainability and Outreach

In the absence of interest rates and minimal

registration fee, Akhuwat has incorporated a series of institutional innovations that contribute to achieving financial self-sustainability. The innovations are derived from the philosophy of brotherhood that drives the organization and its overarching aim of establishing a system based on mutual support.

These include:

Low operational cost:

This is maintained through extreme simplicity in operational activities, plain offices, use of religious places as venues for loan disbursement, and institutionalizing the practice of ad hoc committees of volunteers to complement Akhuwat’s efforts. Additionally maintaining a high spirit of volunteerism within its workforce has been instrumental in minimizing operational costs with Akhuwat believing in a mix of ‘volunteerism with necessary compensation.

Turning borrowers into donors:

Though these are not compulsory, donations from borrowers are encouraged. These donations have allowed many branches of Akhuwat to become financially self-sustainable. As Akhuwat operations expand, the entire programme will be supported by contributions from borrowers who have utilized their loans to become economically stable.

Replications of the Akhuwat Model:

Ensuring that the Akhuwat message reaches a greater portion of the poor without increasing the operational

costs of the organization is a major objective. Akhuwat aims for the society to take the cause of poverty alleviation as its own with Akhuwat’s Model acting as a viable operational strategy.

Increasing the Credit Pool:

This is being accomplished through high repayment rates and reliance on the generosity of the community. For Akhuwat, brotherhood, generosity and goodwill of the society are infinitely more ‘sustainable’ and enduring source of funding than those motivated by purely financial incentives. For this reason, Akhuwat takes great pains to ensure that members of the community irrespective of religion, creed, status or wealth participate in its programme.

Key Indicators

December 2012

December 2013

30th September 2014

No. of loans 230,000 421, 000 637,096

Amount of loans disbursed

Rs3.2 billion

Rs6.4 billion

Rs10.4 billion

Percentage of recovery

99.83% 99.82% 99.87%

Cities and towns

105 165 186

No. of branches

153 256 272

No. of employees

785 1300 1900

DiasporaBridge | Jan-Jun 201548


One of the questions I am repeatedly asked at different events and gathering for

being the youngest female councillor in the UK is what got me there in first place. Growing up, I always thought I would be a psychologist; politics was never even in the equation. I started becoming more and more aware of the profound impact political decisions have on our day to day lives in my position of school governor when I was 18 as it was only then that I began to fully realize how important it is to have a platform in order for your voice to be heard. There was no one in my age range that was on my council and that’s what I wanted to change, I wanted to be able to represent not just young people and their interests but demonstrate that age is no reason why anyone young or old should feel like they don’t deserve to have a seat at the table.

However, when I ventured into politics, I noticed that people were very sceptical and cynical about politics and politicians. I observed they didn’t feel connected to the system and it was being demonstrated time and again by the low voter turnout at polls. It is the need of the hour to address

the concerns people have, to listen to their issues be they about unemployment or the EU and work collectively towards solutions. Inspiring confidence in the public is of utmost importance. It is the only way we can move forward and ensure complete participation from each and every individual. We have made progress, but there is still much to do. We need more diverse representation in order to enrich debates, enhance learning and facilitate better understanding which will enable us to make more balanced decisions that are truly reflective of the society we live in. No group or individual should ever feel isolated or alienated in any shape or form from being heard.

As a politics, philosophy and history student, I have had the privilege of not just learning about political personalities throughout history but of also looking at them from various different angles to assess the impact they have had on the world. In terms of the three who have had the most profound impact on my life, I would have to start with Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. For me, learning from their struggles, but even more from the manner in which they dealt with them is something that will

never leave me. They were living examples of how we should resolve our issues, of how to be patient in times of trials and how to never give up in the face of challenges and defeat. They showed the world that politics is not about who can shout the loudest but who could put humanity and equality

Leading From The Front

on the national agenda. The third would have to be Queen Rania of Jordan. I admire the way as a woman in an area as turbulent as the Middle East she has constantly and consistently championed education, equality and empowerment with grace, passion and determinism.

Opting for the Conservative Party was my first choice which I never regretted. It is a wonderful experience. The Conservative Party has been incredibly welcoming to me, provided me with constant support and always encouraged me to challenge myself and work harder. Many people have this idea about the Tories where a young British ethnic minority would not fit in, ideals and values will clash and so on but I have yet to experience any of that. From my experience,

“A Snapshot of the Life & Dreams of the UK’s Youngest Elected Asian Female Politician.”

Miss Rabia Bhatti is a young leader of leading vision and inspiration with a reputation of excellence recognized on an international scale for her achievements and contributions. She holds multiple roles both in the UK and abroad, is an elected representative and a champion of human rights, climate change, and gender equality.

Rabia BhattiBritish Pakistani Leader

Member Board of Executive WCOP-UK


working at the local level and in various conversations with the Prime Minister at the senior level I have always felt comfortable and confident of being heard and supported. There are times when your personal and professional values clash, but that may happen in any field you may be in – it is about being able to find the

right balance that you are happy with that will enable you to grow both as an individual and as an elected representative.

Being the youngest female councillor in the UK has been equally challenging and rewarding. I absolutely love what I do. I love being able to interact with people, learn from them and try my utmost to help them in any way I can at all times and for that reason, it is very rewarding too. With that said, most of the time, it is incredibly hard with exceptionally long hours, a demanding work load and multiple issues at hand most of the time. There is no such thing as a typical working day. One morning you can be out visiting planning sites for development, then chairing a meeting on climate control, the next minute giving awards out at a school and then sitting the whole night in hospital with a resident after a very bad case of domestic violence. It is for this reason that I think being passionate about what you do is so important as it keeps you driven and motivated when you are working 16hour days without a break, traveling up and down the country speaking at events, delivering workshops, keeping on top of your constituency work and so on. Life is always in the fast lane and although you have no time for yourself or your loved ones, knowing you are making a difference is for me one of the biggest rewards.

Being the youngest female British Pakistani in politics has its own challenges as well. Lot of water has passed under the bridges since the first and second generation of British Pakistanis arrived in the UK. Also much has changed in the way leadership is both practiced and understood. When it comes to the first generation of the British Pakistanis, I admire their ability to have crossed the hurdles of mastering a second language, adapting to a different home and climate and integrating themselves into a foreign society. We as Generation Y take that for granted as

we grow up most of the time learning English as our first language and our parents mother tongue as our second - We go to schools and universities where our friends and classmates are from all over the world. We enjoy the festive season of Xmas and are extremely British. I must acknowledge that the first generation worked harder and managed to lay the foundations for mainstream political leadership. The second generation has been able to build on that but has to now grapple with the controversial issues that need to be addressed by striking a balance of culture and values.

In terms of major challenges ahead as a young politician, I think the first one we need to address is getting more people involved to really reflect the diversity that we have in Britain. It is only possible by doing this that we can have fair debates on issues that affect each and every one of us. We also need to start making close knit communities feel more comfortable in participating in mainstream society rather just cocooning in their own shells. We need to confront issues such as FGM, forced marriages, radiclization and other thorny in our community interactions in halls and places of worship in order for people to feel safer. We need to be able to foster a relationship of trust in order for that relationship to grow.

My favourite saying is the Latin one: Aut viam inveniam aut faciam - I will either find a way or make one. When I look at my future possibilities, making a difference in whatever field it may be pops up as the first priority. I have never had a five year plan like most people do. I think it is more important to understand your strengths and weaknesses and work on them rather than focusing on concrete plans that you may follow religiously. For me, I have to be passionate about what I do and also help where I can – it is for the same reason I champion social entrepreneurship so much. I strongly believe that each and every one of us has the ability to make the world a better and more unified and peaceful place and one doesn’t necessarily need to be in politics to do so. If In 10 years I am still as involved in Politics as I am now, I would like to see myself making even more of a difference to the lives of people in Britain and contributing to their welfare and happiness.


‘I have some wonderful news to make your Christmas and your New Year as well. I happened to be at the Noble Peace prize awarding ceremony

at Oslo two days back as a special guest invited by the youngest Nobel laureate ever. I am talking about Malala Yusafzai ladies and gentlemen who insisted on my attendance saying ‘I was the first one to recognise her courage as the Prime Minster of Pakistan three years ago’. Today almost the whole world bows in her respect and it is our privilege to have such daughters like Malala. This is the true face of Pakistan. Resilient and fearless people who know how to stand up in the face of odds for what they believe. I congratulate all Overseas Pakistanis for having this honour that an Overseas Pakistani became the youngest Nobel laureate.’

WCOP Celebrates2nd Christmas Dinner

These were the opening lines of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while presiding over the 2nd Christmas Dinner hosted by World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis with St. Anslem Church at Harrow in London.

Gilani appreciated the services rendered by the Christian community in Pakistan as doctors,

Sara Aslam is a King’s College London and Cambridge University graduate. Sara is member Board of Executives of WCOP-UK. She has also served as a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

Sara Aslam


nurses, members of armed forces and teachers. He acknowledged that he was himself a student of a missionary school and missionary schools left an indelible imprint of some of the most impactful leaders in Pakistan.

Gilani congratulated the World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis for taking the right step by celebrating Christmas with Pakistani and mainstream community to promote togetherness and coexistence. He appreciated WCOP’s vision of projecting the real, tolerant and amicable face of Pakistan.

Gilani stressed that the majority of Pakistanis are peaceful and friendly community and world must not confuse them with the tiny presence at the radicalised fringes. He also claimed that Pakistan was fighting war against extremism to protect its own borders as well the international borders as well.

Gilani reiterated his support for the constitutional rights of Overseas Pakistanis in the following words, ‘For Overseas Pakistanis, as the former Prime Minister of the country, I have a strong message of hope. In Pakistan, democratic institutions are gaining further ground and the culture of dialogue is strengthening. I am a big supporter of Overseas Pakistanis presence in the Parliament of Pakistan so they could bring their passion and experience and make difference in their motherland. Whether this means a constitutional amendment or proportionate representation, I am seeing a big opportunity for Overseas Pakistanis to turnaround their country.’ Gilani also stressed that the political differences could only be resolved through dialogue and engagement and violence would be catastrophic consequences for well-being of the country.

The other speakers at the occasion included Sajjad Karim MEP, Co-Chairman WCOP Syed Qamar Raza, Rev. Christine Robinson, Rev. Rana Youab Khan, Mayor Frances Stainton, Mufti Liaquat Ali, Dr. Suhail Chughtai, Dr. Peter David and Arif Anis Malik. The dinner was heavily attended by members of Pakistani Christian Community, community leaders from the mainstream British political parties, established entrepreneurs, academics, journalists, media persons and diplomats from Pakistan High Commission and delegates from the mainstream community.

Sajjad Karim MEP, Chairman WCOP dubbed the Christmas celebration by Pakistani community a positive initiative as such events were much needed because Christmas couldn’t be ignored being the largest festive event of the year. He congratulated World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis to break ice and make the first move on such grand scale. He shared that the organisation would continue its endeavours of building bridges across the divide to inspire Overseas Pakistanis and the indigenous communities.

Rev. Christine Robinson welcomed the congregation in the church and beckoned on Christians and Muslims to rethink their relationships, since the world was heavily threatened by militant atheism and aggressive materialism. She referred there were more similarities than the differences between the both great religions which constituted almost half of the world population. She urged Christians and Muslims to seek a deeper level of fellowship and understanding amongst ourselves so they could be the true advocates of peace in a global village which was on the verge of severe conflict. She congratulated Pakistani community on behalf of the Archbishop and appreciated the goodwill gesture and hoped it to continue in the future.

Revd. Rana Youab Khan, the former assistant of Archbishop of Canterbury on interfaith dialogue and


member Board of Governors of Organisation reflected that Christmas was the festival of connectivity. He stressed that the festivals like Christmas and Eid brought communities together and the real celebration included sharing joys with have-nots. He presented homely and urged British Pakistanis to play their part to spread the message of co-existence in Pakistan.

Dr. Suhail Chughtai, president of WCOP UK shared that that purpose of the dinner was community cohesion and gaining more space on the common ground. He asserted on promoting the message of tolerance, co-existence and interfaith dialogue which is closer to the soul of Pakistan. He pledged his commitment to continue the tradition of celebrating Christmas Dinner in other parts of the world where WCOP would form its local branches in the future.

Dr. Peter David congratulated the World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis for its efforts to build bridge of understanding and reach out to the mainstream communities and other faiths. He hoped that Pakistani Christians services would be recognised in the future through legal and systemic support.

Mufti Liaquat Ali commented that Christians and Muslims had been living together for centuries and they shared the same challenges and hopes in many parts of the world, in the Middle East, in South East Asia, in parts of Africa and in Andalusia (Spain). He delineated that Christmas was celebrated with great passion in spirit in Pakistan as well where the four

millions strong Christian community was proudly playing its role in the development of the country.

Dr. Israr Hussain represented the High Commissioner of Pakistan and felicitated the audience. He called for the word to explore Pakistan beneath the media hype

and perception. He delineated that there were more similarities than differences between the two great faiths and the dialogue for cohesion must be further promoted.

Syed Qamar Raza, Co-Chairman WCOP offered the vote of thanks. He expressed his delight on gathering of the fraternity of faiths and peace mongers. He informed the audience that World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis stood for more than 8 million Pakistanis in the 144 countries, constituting the 7th largest diaspora of the world. He emphasised

that WCOP envisioned to empower the Overseas Pakistanis and build bridges of understanding and cohesion in their respective lands of adoption

WCOP presented a token of love by contributing to the food bank sponsored by the host church. A cheque was resented to Rev. Christine Robinson by members Board of Governors including Tariq Ramzan Ch, Najib Khan, Majed Ch, Alzal Mahmood Ch, Dr. Suhail Chughtai, Sajid Atta Khan, Mehboob Ch and Akram Ayub Ch led by Syed Qamar Raza.

The event was heavily subscribed by high profile Pakistanis and British and international audience from the mainstream British political parties, faith based organisations, established entrepreneurs, academics, journalists, media persons and diplomats. The dinner generated a healthy debate in regards to positive initiative of a diaspora led organisation. The local choir also presented the traditional Christmas carols to celebrate the occasion.



World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis has the vision to work with the likeminded civil society organisation across the world.

Such organisations with history of achievement are acknowledged and engaged to pursue the organisations two most sought after objectives: integration and empowerment. One of such prestigious organisations is APPNA from across the pond. The Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) is an American physicians not for profit organization headquartered in Westmont, Illinois. APPNA is one of the largest ethnic medical societies in North America representing more than 17,000 physicians and health care professionals of Pakistani descent serving across the United States and Canada. APPNA is a charitable organization dedicated to fostering scientific development and education in the field of medicine and to delivering better health

A civil servant from Pakistan and University of Chicago graduate, Adnan has served as an Additional Secretary at FATA Investment Authority. He is also associate editor of Diaspora Bridge magazine.

Adnan Khan

Sharing the Best Practices -WCOP Welcomes Chairman APPNA

care, irrespective of race, colour, creed, or gender.

APPNA members participate in medical relief and other charitable activities at home and abroad. APPNA physicians have actively participated in the relief activities in the aftermath of 9/11, Katrina, the 2005 Pakistan Earthquake, and other natural disasters and humanitarian campaigns around the world. The organization holds conferences in different locations throughout North America and an annual Summer Conference. There are regional chapters for all major parts of the United States and Canada, with some areas having multiple chapters. APPNA has also helped develop North American alumni association chapters for all major Pakistani medical colleges.


WCOP-UK hosted a reception in the honour of Dr Asif Rehman, the current Chairman of APPNA at TV Apex Centre in Ilford East London. The members Board of Governors of WCOP-Global, WCOP-UK, members, community leaders and many other dignitaries attended the dinner.

The dinner was organized by WCOP-UK to acknowledge APPNA’s work in the USA and learn from the best practices from one of the largest Overseas Pakistani organization. It was also an endeavour to engage with the organization and work out a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations.

Arif Malik, Executive Director WCOP opened the event along with Andrea Gordon. Dr Suhail Chugtai, President WCOP-UK welcomed Dr Asif Rehman in the UK and termed it a unique opportunity of joining hands with APPNA to propagate the humanitarian

ventures in order to create a positive image for Pakistan. Dr Chughtai shared the plan of WCOP to create ‘a four pillar structure based on Board of Governors, Board of Executives, Board of Experts & Advisors and Friends of WCOP’ to sustain its mission of ‘integration and empowerment’. He cited APPNA as An invaluable addition to the WCOP’s friends which would share resources to support the common causes. Talking about the challenges of present day Pakistani Diaspora, Dr Chughtai indicated ‘Integration’ to be of the utmost significance: ‘Integration means knowing the law and traditions of the land of adoption and respecting those while celebrating our own unique identity, values and cultural perspective. I think we need to find that balance to resolve the biggest challenge our people are facing today across UK and Europe.’ He commented.

Syed Qamar Raza, Co-Chairman WCOP appreciated APPNA’s clout and achievements of the previous decades. He reiterated that Pakistani doctors and professionals are respected throughout the world for their intelligent, hardworking and tenacity as they could peform in the face of heavy odds. He agreed with Dr. Chughtai’s comments and added that making difference in the lands of adoption by living our values and integrating with the local culture and traditions without losing the best of ourselves was a tight rope walk. He expressed his desire to discuss the modalities of further engagement and collaboration between WCOP and APPNA. He shared that both the organisation would find ways and means to support each other for the greater benefit of Overseas Pakistanis.


Naheed Randhawa, WCOP’s founder director spoke of the value produced by the Overseas Pakistanis in the USA and Europe and paid homage to the talent of the country in glowing words. He asserted that the upcoming generations of Pakistani Diaspora must be focussed to retain the cultural heritage and obtain the best of both the worlds.

Ayub Ghori, Rev Rana Youab Khan, Bashan Rafique, Durdana Ansari, Mrs Amty Ahmed and Tariq Suleman also spoke at the occasion and reflected upon the shades of collaboration and growth. The speakers appreciated the vision of the WCOP while emphasizing that initiation would carry meaning if sustainability is ensured. Tariq Suleman and Bashan Rafique stressed the importance of nurturing the things to a level where the system could sustain the vision without depending upon people in the next three to five years. Most of the speakers made a very clear point, echoing Dr Chughtai’s eagerness for integration, about accepting the UK as their home-land without compromising their love for their Mother-land: Pakistan. Rev. Rana Youab said shared his yearning to see Pakistani Diaspora be a model of peace, high achievement and positive contribution to society, economy and politics not only in Pakistan but across the globe. He expressed his faith in WCOP’s efforts of translating these hopes into reality.

The chief guest of the evening, Dr Asif Rehman extended warm greetings from APPNA to all the guests and WCOP members expressing his firm belief that the good foundation laid by WCOP and APPNA collaborative efforts would yield the desired results in

‘integration and empowerment’ in the near future. He also expressed his admiration of WCOP’s initiatives in extending this desire of mutual efforts towards global good.

The reception concluded upon a sumptuous dinner on the general agreement to explore further ways to expand collaboration. Dr. Asif Rehman extended the invitation to WCOP Board of Governors to visit the USA to keep the dialogue going and learn from the best practices which was gratefully accepted.

The speeches were followed by a brief session of music presented by one of the youngest British Pakistani singer, Nish. This also reflected upon WCOP’s initiation of providing the young and talented artists a platform to express themselves. The event was broadcasted live for the audience in the UK, USA and the rest of the world at TVapex.


On 16 December 2014, militants conducted a terrorist attack on the Army Public School in the Northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.

The militants, entered the school and opened fire on school staff and children, killing 149 people, including 132 schoolchildren , ranging between eight and eighteen years of age. A rescue operation was launched by the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG), who killed all seven terrorists and rescued 960 people. This was the deadliest terrorist attack ever to occur in Pakistan, surpassing the 2007 Karachi bombing. The horrendous attack shocked people beyond the borders and beliefs. Millions of Overseas Pakistanis were badly upset at this heart-wrenching tragedy so the British Pakistani organised congregations to offer condolence and collective dua.

World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis in collaboration with Brent Mosque and Islamic Centre (North London) arranged a session of Quran Khawani to offer collective dua on 19th December 2014 for the victims of recent 16th December Peshawar School Massacre. The members of the management committee of Brent Cross Mosque offered fervent support to mediate the program and helped facilitate the arrangements.

The community gathering was organised in the memory of the innocent lives lost in horrendous attack on school in Peshawar. Hundreds of people including prominent Pakistanis and local community leaders turned up at Brent Cross Mosque after Jumma prayers to express solidarity with the families of the victims. Pakistan High Commissioner His Excellency Syed Ibn-e-Abbas also joined in the communal prayer.

Pakistan High Commissioner, His Excellency Syed

Ibn-e-Abbas reiterated the vital need of eliminatiion of radicalization from the society. He asserted that Islam taught peace and respects the feeble even in state of war where the Prophet (PBUH) prohibited killings of women, children and the elderly of the enemies. The Peshawar atrocity, in his view, was reflection of a sick mind-set which needs to be countered while strong measures are to be taken to curtail such events in future.

The High Commissioner said: ‘We are really touched by this show of solidarity from the people and leadership from across the world. This barbaric act will further strengthen our resolve to get rid of the forces of darkness. The entire nation stands united and the government would go after these terrorists, whatever it takes’

Co-Chairman of World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCOP), Syed Qamar Raza, while representing the organization’s Board of Governors, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and regarded it as the most savage action taken against the children of Pakistan. It was stressed that strongest possible measures are to be taken to tackle the menace of terrorism and barbarism. He also offered support of the overwhelming numbers of Overseas Pakistanis to the armed forces of Pakistan and security and law enforcement organisations fighting radicalism and extremism in Pakistan.

The Imam of the mosque, while leading Dua after Quran Khawani, emphasised that all mosques, madrissas and Islamic centres in Pakistan and abroad must teach the true message of Islam which is of peace and love.

The Innocent MartyrsQuran Khawani for the Victims of Peshawar Attack

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