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What do British Pakistanis think about the coming elections? What do British Pakistanis think about the coming elections?
(3 days later)
It is a sunny afternoon in Oldham, Greater Manchester and about 100 men and women from North West England's Pakistani community have gathered at the town's central library.It is a sunny afternoon in Oldham, Greater Manchester and about 100 men and women from North West England's Pakistani community have gathered at the town's central library.
They are there to celebrate Allama Iqbal day. Known as the Poet of the East, Muhammed Iqbal was at the forefront of the movement to create a separate nation for Muslims.They are there to celebrate Allama Iqbal day. Known as the Poet of the East, Muhammed Iqbal was at the forefront of the movement to create a separate nation for Muslims.
The annual event, organised by Urdu writers' group the Circle of Literary Friends, has a strong political theme this year. Several thousand miles away, Pakistan is holding elections on Saturday. Both the poets and guest speakers here are focused on what is happening over there.The annual event, organised by Urdu writers' group the Circle of Literary Friends, has a strong political theme this year. Several thousand miles away, Pakistan is holding elections on Saturday. Both the poets and guest speakers here are focused on what is happening over there.
It is the first time a civilian government has reached a full term and will hand over to another democratically elected administration. It seems as though it is also on the minds of many of the one million plus people living in the UK who hail from the Islamic nation.It is the first time a civilian government has reached a full term and will hand over to another democratically elected administration. It seems as though it is also on the minds of many of the one million plus people living in the UK who hail from the Islamic nation.
This time even some British-born Pakistanis have taken a keen interest in the political landscape back home. Many maintain a strong link to the country - many have extended family or relatives there, as well as property or business interests.This time even some British-born Pakistanis have taken a keen interest in the political landscape back home. Many maintain a strong link to the country - many have extended family or relatives there, as well as property or business interests.
'Corruption and poverty''Corruption and poverty'
Yasmin Toor, who is in her early 40s, is Oldham's first female Pakistani councillor and a poet.Yasmin Toor, who is in her early 40s, is Oldham's first female Pakistani councillor and a poet.
"We need a change. There is too much corruption and poverty, people are suffering there. I think we have to give newcomers a chance now to see what they can do," she said."We need a change. There is too much corruption and poverty, people are suffering there. I think we have to give newcomers a chance now to see what they can do," she said.
Her husband, Ateeque-ur-Rehman, also sits on the local council.Her husband, Ateeque-ur-Rehman, also sits on the local council.
"It's a shame that overseas Pakistanis have not been allowed to vote," he says. "They receive financial and logistical support from us. It's very disappointing.""It's a shame that overseas Pakistanis have not been allowed to vote," he says. "They receive financial and logistical support from us. It's very disappointing."
Earlier this year, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court in Islamabad, ruled that Pakistanis who live abroad could take part in elections without the need to travel back, but they could not hold any political office.Earlier this year, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court in Islamabad, ruled that Pakistanis who live abroad could take part in elections without the need to travel back, but they could not hold any political office.
That change was short lived. The body responsible for organising the polls said it did not have enough time to test an e-voting system.That change was short lived. The body responsible for organising the polls said it did not have enough time to test an e-voting system.
Over the years, many Pakistani politicians have come to Britain to raise funds for their party and for charity. One of the most active has been cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.Over the years, many Pakistani politicians have come to Britain to raise funds for their party and for charity. One of the most active has been cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.
He has held fundraising dinners in cities such as Birmingham, London and Manchester, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) Party and for the cancer hospital and university he has set up in Punjab.He has held fundraising dinners in cities such as Birmingham, London and Manchester, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) Party and for the cancer hospital and university he has set up in Punjab.
'Deep connection''Deep connection'
Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, a fellow at St Antony's College, Oxford, is an expert on Pakistan. He believes the Pakistani community in the UK is unique compared with those established in other European countries.Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, a fellow at St Antony's College, Oxford, is an expert on Pakistan. He believes the Pakistani community in the UK is unique compared with those established in other European countries.
"Although they are living here, they have a deep connection with the homeland - they are physically here but their heart and soul is there. There is frequent travel between the two countries, marriages take place, which also strengthens the bonds between the two groups.""Although they are living here, they have a deep connection with the homeland - they are physically here but their heart and soul is there. There is frequent travel between the two countries, marriages take place, which also strengthens the bonds between the two groups."
This patriotism between the two is also evident at the Oldham poetry event. Another poet, Dr Shanaz Somjee was emotional when she addressed the audience.This patriotism between the two is also evident at the Oldham poetry event. Another poet, Dr Shanaz Somjee was emotional when she addressed the audience.
"We've heard about roads being named after the founders [of Pakistan], Jinnah and Iqbal, but Pakistan is just not in those four provinces [Pukhtoon, Khwa, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh], it is everywhere despite its geographical location." "We've heard about roads being named after the founders [of Pakistan], Jinnah and Iqbal, but Pakistan is just not in those four provinces [Pukhtoon Khwa, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh], it is everywhere despite its geographical location."
In nearby Manchester, Irfan Hashmi, who is educated to degree level, works as a taxi driver and is a great believer in the need for a change in Pakistan's leadership and governance.In nearby Manchester, Irfan Hashmi, who is educated to degree level, works as a taxi driver and is a great believer in the need for a change in Pakistan's leadership and governance.
His family own property and run a charity there.His family own property and run a charity there.
"I've had direct experience with the ups and downs of working with people on the ground," he says. "Measly issues can derail something that is quite simple, logical and knowingly beneficial for the people there.""I've had direct experience with the ups and downs of working with people on the ground," he says. "Measly issues can derail something that is quite simple, logical and knowingly beneficial for the people there."
'Making a change''Making a change'
He says he does not have a problem with politicians coming to the UK to raise money but he thinks the people who donate must demand more accountability and have more of a say in policies and what is going on in the country.He says he does not have a problem with politicians coming to the UK to raise money but he thinks the people who donate must demand more accountability and have more of a say in policies and what is going on in the country.
Some British Pakistanis are doing more than simply donating money. More than 100 supporters of Imran Khan's Movement for Justice Party have flown over to utilise their democratic right to vote.Some British Pakistanis are doing more than simply donating money. More than 100 supporters of Imran Khan's Movement for Justice Party have flown over to utilise their democratic right to vote.
Kashif Khan, a 33-year-old IT consultant from west London, has gone to Islamabad. He said: "These elections are very important for the 180 million people who live here.Kashif Khan, a 33-year-old IT consultant from west London, has gone to Islamabad. He said: "These elections are very important for the 180 million people who live here.
"When I come to visit my family here, I do not feel safe and I cannot bring my children with me. There is also a lot of poverty around. I came here to make a change.""When I come to visit my family here, I do not feel safe and I cannot bring my children with me. There is also a lot of poverty around. I came here to make a change."
Ultimately though the common message from British Pakistanis is that whoever wins - whether it is Imran Khan's PTI, the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or the current rulers the Pakistan People's Party - what they want most is that the elections remain free and fair.Ultimately though the common message from British Pakistanis is that whoever wins - whether it is Imran Khan's PTI, the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or the current rulers the Pakistan People's Party - what they want most is that the elections remain free and fair.