KARACHI, Sept 19: An endowment fund should be set up in the United Kingdom for promoting better education and human resource development among young Pakistanis settled in the UK.

After communal riots in Oldham, the UK in 2001, British authorities realized there was discrimination as Pakistanis were “not high achievers and would not get good jobs in Britain,” observed former high commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, Abdul Kader Jaffer.

“If one million Pakistanis settled in the UK contribute one pound each, one million pounds can be collected for the fund, to be managed by reputable Pakistanis, and profit could be given as scholarships to bright students for studying in Oxford, Cambridge universities.

“I also feel it is our government’s duty to give something in return and see our community abroad does well,” he said while addressing members of Rotary Club of Karachi on Monday.

He said there was wide cultural gap between children born and raised in England with their parents, who had not integrated in British society.

“If our youngsters are well educated and integrated with white community in the UK they will get good jobs. They can stand in elections and become members of the House of Commons, be nominated to the House of Lords and convince extremists to change their thinking.”

Kader Jaffer said today Pakistan has four members in the House of Commons and two in the House of Lords. “I would like to see more Pakistanis getting involved in mainstream politics in the UK. This can happen when youngsters get opportunity of quality education. British government does provide aid but not to full extent.”

The former high commissioner said that July 7 terror incidents, in which many innocent people were killed in London, were “tragic, sad and an attack on all who espouse cause of democracy and open society.

“We must study the root causes. I regretfully say British Prime Minister and US President are responsible for lives being lost in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Kashmir.” —PPI