Sada-e-Watan Sydney ™
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President PAA Iftikhar Rana meets Minister for Housing & Western Sydney David Borger
The representatives from the Pakistan Association of Australia (PAA) President Iftikhar Rana, Trustee Pervez Khan and Member Atiq Manj, met with the Hon. David Borger, Minister for Housing and Western Sydney. The meeting was arranged by the PAA to be held at the Minister’s office in Merrylands, NSW. But the Minister’s office rescheduled the meeting so it was held at the Western Real Estate offices in Parramatta.
The meeting agenda focused on two important points
The PAA President Mr.Iftikhar Rana welcomed the Minister for Housing and thanked him for giving us the opportunity for this meeting. He briefed the Minister on the problems the Pakistan community face and requested that the PAA be given land to establish a Cemetery for sub continent people, as they have difficulty finding a cemetery that is within reach and affordable for the average person. A grave plot can cost $10,000, but if the Pakistan community gets the land we are planning for, we will reduce this cost down to $1000.
Trustee Pervez Khan also emphasises the difficulty facing our community, telling Hon. Borger how important it is that our land requirement be fulfilled, for the sustainability of our community’s cemetery.
Hon. Borger promised to look into the options for our community. There will be a big project in Campbelltown which he will nominate us for, and he says he will talk to the concerning bodies to find some land for our community.
We also requested land for community centre. The Minister suggested some land for us in Granville, which he is still trying to find more information about. When he knows more, he will come back to us.
At the end of the meeting, President Iftikhar Rana conveyed our thanks to the Minister, and praised him for his contribution to our community. Hon. Borger replied that whenever we need any assistance from the Housing Minister’s office,he would be more than happy to help our community.
