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Pakistan Association Dubai is the spirit and palpitation of many Pakistanis; a realisation of their dreams, a stature of hope and a body of pride. Pakistanis in the UAE who have come from the deserts of Mehran, the skirting hills of Bolan, the agricultural beauties of Punjab, the cascades of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the heavenly spectacle of Kashmir, are all united under one slogan: "We are Pakistanis - We are One".Dr Zia Ul Hasan, President, Pakistan Association Dubai
Culture
PAD celebrates the national days of Pakistan and the UAE with great spirit and fervour every year. Celebrations like Mera Pakistan, Pakistan Awards Ceremony, Solidarity Celebrations, Mena Bazar, and Food Festival, are a few to mention.
Stage dramas and literary events are regularly organised throughout the year with grand poetry sessions by famous poets from Pakistan.
Sports
PAD provides sport activities by organising various cricket, football and volleyball tournaments.
A cricket-training academy with cemented and trough pitches, and a lawn tennis court are available for the community.
Outdoor activities like Desert Fun Drives are an attraction for 4x4 lovers.
Education
PAD provides financial assistance to UAE-based schoolchildren, who cannot afford their school fees. Pakistan Professional Wing of PAD also grants scholarships to needy Pakistani students. PAD signed MoUs with various local universities, providing scholarships for postgraduate students. In 2010, PAD set up an orphanage (Parwarish) in Swat, Pakistan where 234 students are currently studying and have been adopted by the Pakistani community in the UAE.
PAD organises teacher-training workshops and seminars for 10 Pakistani schools in the UAE to develop teaching skills. It also organises English language classes for labourers and drivers, and offers Arabic classes for community members. It also organises educational events, summer camps, personality development seminars, career counselling, and educational exhibitions for the community. The Pakistan Youth Forum (PYF) also organises youth enhancement workshops for Pakistani students in the community schools.
Health
Free medical camps have been organised by the Medical Wing of PAD every month since 2009 to provide basic health checks, consultations and chronic medication to needy patients. Health Awareness activities at labour camps are held periodically in collaboration with the Community Development Authority (CDA) and major hospital groups. MoUs signed with various low-cost lab facilities offer affordable eye checks and dental treatments. It also regularly conducts blood donation camps to support the Thalassemia Centre. The medical wing of PAD conducts Continuous Medical Education (CME) seminars for health professionals. PYF also organises workshops on health awareness and oral hygiene in Pakistani schools.
Social initiatives
PAD provides food packages to needy families during the Holy Month of Ramadan and distributes Iftar packs at labour camps. It also organises old age home visits and gifts for the elderly; "Walk for a Cause" to raise funds for flood victims; "Fast for a Cause" for education; and the "Shukran" initiative for Dubai Municipality cleaners and workers.
Environmental campaigns
Beach cleaning campaigns held in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, and road and safety campaigns alongside RTA.
Prisoners release campaign
There are a number of Pakistanis in UAE jails for minor offences, and many who are awaiting air tickets to return home after completion of their sentences. PAD helps pay their fines and provides air tickets to repatriate with the assistance of the Pakistan Consulate. The PAD team stays in touch with jail authorities to provide basic utility items, Eid gifts and visits by families of prisoners.
Relief during natural disasters
PAD, with help of the community and in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent, provided relief to affected people during the earthquake in 2005 and disastrous floods in 2010 and 2011 in Pakistan. PAD focused on providing shelter, setting up dispensaries, providing ambulances, installation of water filtration plants, etc.
PAD also supported Red Crescent UAE in its relief efforts in Kosovo and Sri Lanka.
By achieving the above goals, we aim to transform Pakistan Association Dubai into a prestigious institution that will be a source of utmost pride for every Pakistani residing in the UAE and a valuable gift to future generations. Pakistanis have tremendous potential to achieve their goals, even in difficult times, and we hope that with your support, we will complete our new projects as "One Nation, One Dream". Insha'Allah!
I think we need only small and affordable steps within our means to join or make a team that will help others. I feel this would be of great help to the community and humanity, while being known as a proud Pakistani.
Dr Zia Ul Hasan is the President of the Pakistan Association Dubai.
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