Group aims to support Pakistani communities in public life

VOLUNTARY organisations from across the country have joined forces to find ways of helping Pakistani communities access more opportunities.

Activists attended a meeting organised by Bradford-based charity QED Foundation on Thursday, bringing together campaigners and front-line workers from London, Glasgow, Leeds, Huddersfield, Oldham and Rochdale to share ideas.

Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, QED Foundation chief executive, said: "The National Association of British Pakistani Voluntary Organisations will focus on key issues that are holding 1.5 million people back.

"These include educational underachievement, unemployment and underemployment, limited access to vocational training and poor health outcomes."

Members of the organisation aim to support and learn from each other and work together to ensure their communities can play a full role in public life.