British Pakistanis to play their vital part in rehabilitation of radicalised individuals in Pakistan

‘British Pakistanis are poised to play their vital part in rehabilitation of radicalised individuals in Pakistan, We have to take ownership of this problem and join hands with state and civil organisations to solve it.’ These thoughts were expressed by Chairman Forum for International Relations Development (FIRD) and Stockwell Green Community Services (SGCS), Toaha Qureshi MBE in his consultation meeting with Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. The meeting was held in accordance with Govt of Pujab’s desire to benefit form SGCS long standing expertise in rehabilitating radicalised individuals in the United Kingdom. Mian Shahbaz Sharif showed his great interest in SGCS’ three pronged strategy and the model based upon local community, police and local authority. This model evolved into SGCS’ four years PROCEED programme and was later adopted in the UK , Spain, Germany and Holland.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif congratulated Toaha Qureshi MBE for proactively engaging British Muslim community as part of solution instead of part of problem by leading the 1st European comunity led programme on deradicalisation and rehabilitation. He shared his grave concern on the increasing radicalisation in Pakistan and exhorted the civil society to contribute to the normalisation process. He also shared his plans to send Govt of Punjab officials and consultants to SGCS for their training in rehabilitation process. He particularly admired that the SGCS programme met its targets by 100% by ensuring that none of the rehabilitated radicalist re-offended. Mian Shahbaz Sharif also invited SGCS to set up a school in Southern Punjab and institutionalise rehabilitation process in Pakistan. The Chief Minister accepted Toaha Qureshi’s invitation to visit SGCS/FIRD facilities in London during his upcoming trip to the United Kingdom. He also assured his support to FIRD’s recent drive for a ’50 Years No War Pact’ between India and Pakistan.

At this occasion Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali MNA and Chairman Standing Committee on Education and Rana Mahmood ul Hassan MNA were also present during the meeting.