The Sindhi Association of Europe (SAE) held an engaging and productive meeting with Mr. Miftah Ismail, former Minister of Finance of Pakistan, on Thursday, 14 May. The session brought together SAE Executive Committee members, guests, and members of the Sindhi community in the UK for an open discussion on important political, economic, and social issues concerning Sindh and Pakistan.

The meeting commenced with a welcome address by SAE President Mr Rohat Kumar, during which Mr. Miftah Ismail and all guests were warmly welcomed. An introduction to the Sindhi Association of Europe (SAE) was also provided, highlighting the organisation’s objectives, activities, and commitment to promoting unity, awareness, and constructive engagement within the community.

During the interactive session, Dr Qadir Sarki raised several important questions regarding the 18th Amendment, the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, its impact on Sindh, industrial development in interior Sindh, and Mr. Miftah Ismail’s party policies relating to Sindh.

Further valuable contributions were made by Executive Committee members Dr Zulfiqar Yousifani, Mr Waseem Mahessar, and Dr. Irshad Memon, who raised questions and shared perspectives on matters affecting Sindh and the wider Pakistani community.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

The meeting produced several encouraging outcomes and observations:

• Mr. Miftah Ismail expressed pleasant surprise at the strong representation of highly professional, organised, and open-minded Sindhis living in the UK. He acknowledged that many Sindhis hold independent views and are not necessarily aligned with either PPP or nationalist political parties.
• He demonstrated a strong understanding of Sindh’s social, economic, and political realities and recognised that current political circumstances may make people cautious about associating themselves with emerging political platforms at this stage.
• The meeting also provided an opportunity to present a broader and more accurate image of the Sindhi diaspora in the UK, highlighting that community members represent a wide range of professional backgrounds and contributions.
• Participants discussed concerns affecting both the Sindhi community abroad and issues relating to Sindh, including political decisions and their implications.
• Mr. Miftah Ismail agreed to arrange another interactive session involving Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and also shared his contact details to facilitate future coordination and engagement.

The Sindhi Association of Europe remains committed to facilitating constructive dialogue, community engagement, and meaningful discussions with distinguished personalities and decision-makers. We look forward to building on this interaction and continuing to create platforms that strengthen understanding and collaboration within our community.