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Pak body helps expats in a spot

DUBAI - The Pakistan Association's Welfare Committee (PAWC) helps resolve 90 to100 cases of Pakistanis who need assistance, on a monthly basis.

The committee holds meetings every Monday in a bid to resolve problems faced by Pakistanis in the UAE. "We have cases from all over the country and some issues are really serious and call for more than financial help," said Riaz Farooq, Chairman of the Welfare Committee, Pakistan Association, Dubai. "Therefore, we try to offer emotional support as well," he added.

The Welfare Committee operates on a budget of raised and donated funds amounting to Dh1 million, on a yearly basis.

"Many philanthropists donate huge sums that the committee spends on the needy people, budgeting this amount over the whole year," said Mr Farooq. After applications are filed, the committee does a case study following which the applicants are called for an interview.

Mr Farooq also said that the six-member committee receives about 115 to 150 applications from such people every month. Efforts are made to sort them out at one sitting.

"Some cases require more research and visits to check authenticity. Such cases are put off till the next meeting," he explained.

Of the cases received by the committee, the majority pertains to social and financial issues.

"Other important cases include those seeking educational grants, help on health issues, personal problems, while sometimes we have to resolve family feuds as well," he said.

Mr Farooq said: "Recently we tried to resolve a case in which a woman was seeking divorce, while her in-laws were trying to block her to getting a divorce.