Pakistani community forges new links

Aug 24 2007 By Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

PAKISTANI community leaders have joined forces with police officers, health workers, and council officials to launch a new action plan in a bid to improve their community.

Hundreds of people across the city came together to witness the launch of the Pakistani Community Development Network at Birmingham Council House.

And in a three hour event they agreed to put crime and housing top of their list of priorities to make the city a better place for Pakistani people.

Hafiz Saeed Ahmed, introducing the partnership, said: "The Pakistani community is a growing community and we are looking to build ourselves up economically.

"One of the ways we can do that is through better education.

"Representatives from across the West Midlands are here including officials from the fire department, transport, police, NHS and more.

"I urge everybody to talk to them and support our institutions.

"We have alot of Pakistani Muslims in positions of power in the city and we must make the most of it.

"We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Pakistan's independence but we must also continue to promote Birmingham.

"We want to build a bridge between Pakistan and Britain, together we can be an army."

Top priorities of the network include creating Pakistani housing associations as presently none exist.

Crime reduction target to increase safety on the streets and a crackdown on drug culture were also highlighted.

Plans were also under way for a centre of excellence in Sparkhill to improve literacy and numeracy in the community, especially among school boys.