Connecting community with consulate services

Consulate staff with Mr Sikandar and Qaiser Mahmood with the Deeplish Community Centre team

Once again, a very busy and well attended consulate service surgery was provided from Deeplish Community Centre in partnership with Consulate General of Pakistan office on Saturday, 29 April.

This surgery is always in demand and well attended, with more than 80 families who attended the surgery on Saturday to renew their National Database and Registration Authority, Pakistan (NADRA) cards, attain visas or making enquiries about other services provided by consulate office.

Sohail Ahmad, Manager at Deeplish Community Centre said: “We are pleased to offer diplomatic services to local community at their door steps from Deeplish Community Centre. We believe in helping local people from all over the Rochdale.”

Sohail Ahmad also thanked outgoing NADRA team manager Mr Sikandar for his commitment and dedication in making this service happen at the heart of local community.

Mr Sikandar met with all the Deeplish team before returning to his office in Pakistan, he said: “We welcome newly appointed NADRA Manager, Mr Qaisar Mahmood, who has taken up this office to manage NADRA services.

"We are pleased to welcome him to Rochdale to deliver the regular diplomatic advice surgery. 

Mr Sikandar said: “It was always good to work with Deeplish Community Centre and staff and councillors in ensuring smooth services to local community.”

Chairman of Deeplish Community Centre Mr Mohammed Saleem JP said: “It is very rewarding to offer these services but challenging in organising these sessions to accommodate local community needs, especially with reduced resources.

“We are committed to offer NADRA services locally to save hundreds of people travel time and inconvenience to people with mobility issues.

“We are grateful to NADRA team and Dr Zahoor Ahmad, Consulate General of Pakistan of Government of Pakistan for arranging outreach services for local community members on the weekend.”