Mr. Mohammad Riaz Farooq Sahi, (President of PAD)

The Pakistan Association has played an important role in Dubai, providing social, moral, educational and financial help to community members during the past 41 years.

Established in 1967 in Dubai, the association has served as a binding force among the Pakistan community as it holds social gatherings, meetings, entertainment functions and even marriages at its premises located at Oud Metha Road in Bur Dubai.

"Ours is a non-political and non-profit organisation, and our aim is to serve the community in addition to providing them recreational, cultural, social, religious and sports activities," said Mohammad Riaz Farooq Sahi, President of the association.
He said that one of the main roles of the association was to educate people about the laws of the UAE in general and Dubai in particular.

The association has played a major role in the community by arranging tickets and financial help for more than 55,000 people during the last two amnesties declared by the UAE government.
"We have also received support from the local authorities. Our community is indebted to the Dubai rulers for their generosity and care," he added.

Sahi said that Gulf News has played an important role in spreading the message of the association among community members.

Sahi said the association, which was formed by a handful of Pakistanis, has now developed into a well-organised institution.

"We have finalised plans to construct new and bigger premises at the cost of Dh25 million, which has been promised by well-off community leaders," said Sahi.
The new premises will have a multi-purpose hall, sports areas, restaurants, a clinic and a hostel for visitors.

Welfare activities

One thing that the Pakistani community can be proud of is the well-organised welfare service provided by the Welfare Committee of the association to community members.
The Pakistan Association dispersed more than Dh1 million to needy people last year and this year it aims to give away Dh2.5 million as more philanthropists have come forward to help underprivileged people.

The welfare committee offers a wide range of services. It provides legal service to community members in conflicts within families or with third parties. It also provides professional legal advice and practical help to sort out legal matters amicably.

So far this year the association has paid the school fees for 150 deserving students who would be deprived of their right to education due to lack of financial resources.

It also provides medical assistance and financial help to people who do not have health insurance and cannot bear the cost of their medical treatment, and has even provided financial support to deserving community members to pay their utility bills.

In cases where family and friends of a deceased person do not have enough money, the association assists in transporting the bodies of Pakistanis back home.

The association steps forward to provide help when there is a calamity or natural disaster in Pakistan.
Due to the efforts of the association, the UAE was the leading country to provide relief goods to the victims of the 2005 earthquake, which killed more than 50,000 people in Pakistan and rendered more than two million people homeless.

It has set up a special desk for job seekers on its premises. The services include proactive search of vacancies, identification of suitable vacant positions, communication between the potential employees and employers, advice on preparation of CVs and preparation for interviews.

Special programmes

The Pakistan Association provides facilities for cricket, volleyball, badminton and table tennis to its members and their children.

Throughout the year, the association organises a vast variety of functions and programmes. These include dramas, stage shows, family fiestas, poetry and intellectual gatherings and welcome and farewell dinners for dignitaries and memorial days.

It organises special programmes for Pakistan National Day and Independence Day to help community members stand united under one platform.

The association is also known for organising religious programmes for the members of the community. It invites famous Islamic scholars to deliver lectures.

"Our association premises in Dubai is home away from home for the community," Sahi said and urged the community members to become its members.