Centre of excellence

The Pakistan Centre in Oud Metha will house multiple facilities and a ?not-for-profit medical centre The Pakistan Centre will be housed in a two-storey building, which will replace the existing PAD office building in Oud Metha. It will have multiple facilities such as fitness and rehabilitation centre, a themed restaurant, a mosque; offices, business incubation centre, seminar rooms as well as children's play area and a barbeque area, apart from the medical centre.

The Pakistan Centre will be the largest community centre by any community in the GCC. Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) launched the Dh12 million project on August 14, last year.
I am overwhelmed to announce that after a year of creating awareness about Pakistan Centre, today the foundation laying ceremony of our landmark project will be held by the UAE's Minister for Youth and Social Development, H.E Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.
As a community, we have joined hands to fulfil our dream to build a "centre of excellence" which will be a source of pride for 1.5 million Pakistanis residing in the UAE.
For this dream to come true, we urge community members to 'own a brick' for Pakistan Centre, whilst each brick costs Dh1,000. There are 12,000 bricks to give away and I am happy to admit that the response from the community has been overwhelming. It is like engraving your name forever in one of the largest community centre for overseas Pakistanis.
Furthermore, we have 1,000 bricks for low-income groups so that they can contribute even Dh100 each to have their share in the construction of the building.
The hallmark of this landmark project is a not-for-profit medical centre, which will cater to low-income groups and will embrace people of all nationalities. Called the Pakistan Medical Centre, it will have state-of-the-art facilities and medical experts who would treat all patients equally; whether the patient can afford the treatment or is unable to do so.
This project is part of "The Year of Giving" initiative and supports the vision and efforts of the UAE Government.
The Pakistan Centre will be housed in a two-storey building, which will replace the existing PAD office building in Oud Metha. It will have multiple facilities such as fitness and rehabilitation centre, a themed restaurant, a mosque; offices, business incubation centre, seminar rooms as well as children's play area and a barbeque area, apart from the medical centre.  
Within a year of announcing the project, renowned figures and institutions have come forward in supporting and taking ownership of Pakistan Centre.
Our ambassador for Pakistan Centre is the legendary Urdu poet Anwar Maqsood and he has donated his paintings for the cause.
Pakistan's star sportsman and former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Shahid Afridi, has vouched his support for this noble cause. The Shahid Afridi Foundation has taken ownership of the health and fitness centre contributing 1,000 bricks after which the gymnasium will be named after the foundation.
Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences has taken ownership of the dental unit of the Pakistan Medical Centre. They would be providing the equipment, working material and staff for an indefinite period.
Indus Hospital has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with us and will provide support to set up paperless medical records at Pakistan Medical Centre.
The idea of the medical centre was conceived by the medical wing of PAD that has since the last seven years been setting up medical camps every month to cater to low-income groups. We have a pool of over 100 doctors that provide their services voluntarily and each felt a dire need for a permanent medical facility. Hence, Pakistan Center was born.
I firmly believe and am confident that my community members will play a pivotal role in breathing life into this dream. It is about teamwork and standing together with each other. The upcoming institution will become a monument of pride for every Pakistani.
PAD strongly believes in empowering the younger generation and becoming their strength while they move ahead in life. The seminar rooms and offices in Pakistan Centre will serve as business incubation centres and provide opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to exhibit their talent.
We constantly need to show the way to our younger lot.
We are grateful to Allah Almighty for giving us the opportunity to serve the downtrodden of our community. The medical facilities will be open to all nationalities.
We also wholeheartedly thank the Community Development Authority, Dubai Health Authority and Government of Dubai in constantly helping and supporting our cause.
- Dr. Faisel Ikram is the General Secretary of Pakistan Association Dubai.

• Pakistan