Sahiwal celebrate 30 years of twinning

A TOWN twinning group celebrating its 30th anniversary has appointed new committee members.

The Sahiwal Working Party in Rochdale gathered for their annual general meeting on Tuesday, February 12 and were joined by Rochdale Mayor Mohammed Zaman, welfare attache Fizza Niazi and the Consulate General of Pakistan.

Councillor and former Mayor Sultan Ali was elected as chairman with Razia Shamim MBE appointed vice-chairman.

Also elected to the committee were Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE as secretary and public relations officer with Coun Irene Davidson named treasurer.

Rochdale was twinned with Sahiwal in Punjab, Pakistan, in 1989.

Over the last three decades the Sahiwal Working Party have developed 21 ‘very successful’ projects including a free eye camp, maternity project, training project, waste management and police training.

They have also sent many ambulances, fire engines, gully cleaners, cats eyes and sign boards to Sahiwal.

Mr Shahzad said: “For the last 30 years members of Sahiwal Working Party have been committed, dedicated and passionate to carry on serving the local community and people of Sahiwal.”

In October last year a delegation made up of Coun Zaman, MP Tony Lloyd, council leader Allen Brett and several other councillors visited Kashmir, Islamabad, Lahore and Sahiwal.

They met with ministers, the British High Commissioner, Governor of Punjab, police officers, Commissioner of Sahiwal, the Chairman Union Council and others.