Dubai: Pakistani Pashtuns have formed a new body to launch welfare services for underprivileged community members in the UAE.
The new body called the Pak-Khyber Wing will work under the umbrella of the Pakistan Association in Dubai.
"The Pak-Khyber Wing will mobilise Pashtun community members in the UAE to provide social and welfare services to people in need in general and particularly Pashtuns who are in very large numbers," said Khursheed Ahmad Junejo, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE.
Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected body of the Pak Khyber Wing held at the Pakistan Association in Dubai on Monday, the ambassador said that some 60 per cent of more than one million Pakistanis living in the UAE are from the Khyber Pakhunkhwa Province which is dominated by Pashtuns.
"There are a number of other smaller welfare groups but they focus on particular tribes from their areas. However, this Wing will help all Pakistanis without any discrimination and political affiliation," he added.
Junejo urged all Pakistanis living in the UAE to spare their time, money and resources for their community as there are many who need their help.
Riaz Farooq Sahi, president of the Pakistan Association Dubai said the association had decided to form various Wings comprising communities from different parts of Pakistan. He said the new wings on the cards were: The Pak-Chenab Wing for the people of Punjab; the Pak-Channar Wing for the people of Kashmir and northern areas; The Pak-Mehran Wing for people from Sindh province and the Pak-Bolan Wing for community members from Balochistan province.
"The idea is to let communities from different parts of Pakistan extend welfare services to their respective community members because it is easier for them to reach out and understand issues facing their own communities," he said.
"Our association has been doing welfare work but the creation of these wings will divide the work and help expand its scope," he added.
