Partnership work with Consulate General of Pakistan to deliver community services

Consulate of Pakistan staff with local community members delivering services at Deeplish Community Centre

More than 80 families attended an outreach surgery providing diplomatic services at Deeplish Community Centre on Saturday.

The surgery was a partnership between the local community, Consulate General of Pakistan, the National Database and Registration Authority, Pakistan (NADRA) and local councillors Aasim Rashid, Allen Brett, Mohammed Zaman and Sameena Zaheer.

The councillors delivered their advice bureau for community members and listened to their views and also helped members of the community in obtaining diplomatic advice and services on the day. Diplomatic staff from the Consulate General of Pakistan processed applications for National Identity cards and Visa applications.

Senior Diplomatic officer, Muhammad Tahir, who was present at this surgery, also made home visits to see and advise elderly community members who were unfit to visit. He also delivered community engagement and specialist advice on individual matters.

Mr Tahir said: “Much needed services for the Pakistani and Kashmiri community are being delivered at doorstep to hundreds of elderly, vulnerable and children at Deeplish Community Centre. We are pleased to provide help, support and assistance even on weekends and in an emergency matters concerning travel, visas and ID Cards.

Officers of the NADRA team spent the day at Deeplish Community Centre helping people to apply and renew their national identity cards, which are valid for ten years and act as visa cards whilst travelling to Pakistan.

Manager of the NADRA Team at Consulate Office, Mr Sikandar, said: “We are pleased to offer this outreach service at local community venues. Here at Deeplish Community centre, we are particularly keen [to offer the service] due to demand.

“We have very well-organised staff at this centre, who are always efficient and effective in helping us to manage NADRA applicants.”

Deeplish Community Centre manager, Sohail Ahmad, said: "We are pleased to offer these services locally and to work in partnership with the Consulate General to support our local community and save elderly people and families with children and disabled members having to journey to Manchester.”

He also offered special thanks to NADRA Manager Mr Sikandar and Mr Ahad for their dedication, hard work and support for local community in delivering continuous outreach surgeries from the Centre.