Pakistan Auditorium opens in Dubai after long delay
AED7.5 million community hall provides Pakistanis with a space of their own for various events
PHOTO: GULFNEWS
A much-awaited community hall for Pakistanis living in the United Arab Emirates opened on Saturday in Dubai.
The AED7.5 million community hall was inaugurated at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) in Oud Metha area, according to Gulf News.
The auditorium provides Pakistanis with a space of their own for various events such as art exhibitions, conferences, cultural shows, as well as weddings and other social engagements.
The community hall was funded by the Pakistani community according to PAD Secretary General Dr Faisal Ikram and had to go through long delays due to shortage of funds.
The auditorium was originally planned in 1991 but work began on the project in 2009 which eventually came to a halt due to credit crunch. “Work resumed on the auditorium in 2014,” Ikram added.
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“The whole purpose of the auditorium is to serve the community ... It also has a state-of-the-art audio-video system and an e-library,” he said.
“We will have in place a business development manager and a board who will manage the facility. PAD members will be able to use the facility at nominal cost.”
Further, Ikram claimed the auditorium is the largest project of the Pakistani community in Dubai. “Before we had to rent because the community didn’t have a place. Now we have our own place. I think the long-awaited project has made people very happy, the feedback has been very positive. It will play a role in bringing the community together.”
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PAD is also planning a low cost, multi-specialty medical centre for Pakistanis that will be able to treat hundreds of patients a day as well as a restaurant which will showcase Pakistani culture and cuisine.
The inauguration was attended by Chief Guest Arif Naqvi, Founder and Chief Executive, Abraaj Group as well as prominent members of the Pakistani community.
This article originally appeared on Gulf News.
The AED7.5 million community hall was inaugurated at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) in Oud Metha area, according to Gulf News.
The auditorium provides Pakistanis with a space of their own for various events such as art exhibitions, conferences, cultural shows, as well as weddings and other social engagements.
The community hall was funded by the Pakistani community according to PAD Secretary General Dr Faisal Ikram and had to go through long delays due to shortage of funds.
The auditorium was originally planned in 1991 but work began on the project in 2009 which eventually came to a halt due to credit crunch. “Work resumed on the auditorium in 2014,” Ikram added.
Read: Father lets daughter drown at Dubai beach rather than have male rescuers ‘touch’ her
“The whole purpose of the auditorium is to serve the community ... It also has a state-of-the-art audio-video system and an e-library,” he said.
“We will have in place a business development manager and a board who will manage the facility. PAD members will be able to use the facility at nominal cost.”
Further, Ikram claimed the auditorium is the largest project of the Pakistani community in Dubai. “Before we had to rent because the community didn’t have a place. Now we have our own place. I think the long-awaited project has made people very happy, the feedback has been very positive. It will play a role in bringing the community together.”
Read: Dubai property developers upbeat despite falling prices
PAD is also planning a low cost, multi-specialty medical centre for Pakistanis that will be able to treat hundreds of patients a day as well as a restaurant which will showcase Pakistani culture and cuisine.
The inauguration was attended by Chief Guest Arif Naqvi, Founder and Chief Executive, Abraaj Group as well as prominent members of the Pakistani community.
This article originally appeared on Gulf News.