The British province of Scotland is considered to be of special importance due to its unique history. This province has its own distinct identity, which fought many wars with countries like England to maintain its independent status, but ultimately, on May 1, 1707, it Under the agreement, the people of Scotland can use it to restore their independence whenever they want to withdraw from the agreement with a majority vote. Also, its ruler and Prime Minister, Nichola Sturgeon, is demanding a second referendum for independence. According to the survey, the number of people in favour of independence is much higher this time. Nothing can be said about the direction the situation will take. This is the reason why the eyes of the world are always focused on Scotland along with the local community. The Pakistani Scottish community also participates heavily in politics and they seem to give a lot of arguments in favour of and against independence.
Alex Salmond, the former leader of the Scottish National Party, was particularly famous for having special connections with the Pakistani community, and now the party’s ruler and first minister, Nichola Sturgeon is also maintaining her party’s tradition of Scottish Pakistanis. – Along with the government machinery of the country, there is probably no institution or sector in the country in which Pakistanis are not fully represented. The children who were born and raised in this country have achieved such achievements that it is difficult to find their example – they not only their parents. The family and the Pakistani community, but also the name of their country, Pakistan have been enlightened in such a way that we all should be proud of them, but most of the time, these personalities are not treated in the way that is their right.
The article about Ms. Aisha Anwar is the first link in the series that “AIMS International” has started to introduce such dignified personalities of the community to its readers.
Aisha Anwar is the daughter of Edinburgh’s famous and leading socialite Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqub. Her father belongs to Chak No. 325, a village near Faisalabad Punjab, Pakistan. He had to say goodbye to education, which he still regrets today. He started struggling to improve the financial condition of the family and decided to come to Britain to try his luck and came to Britain in 1960 – he settled in Huddersfield, England and worked very hard in factories for a long time. He moved to Scotland in 1976 and settled in Edinburgh, he entered groceries business, the God was kind the business grew double and quadrupled day and night and he few Years later, he started to be counted among the famous businessmen of Edinburgh. He also took part in charitable works for the community and played a very important role in buying the first and only one community car for the Pakistani community in Edinburgh. Treasurer of the Association Edinburgh and East of Scotland Chaudhry Yaqoob, who was also performing the duties of the president for a long time in this centre of interest, has been blessed by Allah with eight daughters who have earned a name in various fields by getting higher education. Ms Aisha Anwar is very proud of her achievements, she is the fifth daughter, she was born in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Ayesha has created history by reaching the post of Sheriff Principal, she is the first Pakistani and probably the first Asian woman to reach this position. Aisha’s ability can be gauged from the fact that a statute related to family law was changed in accordance with one of her initiatives, so her name will live forever in the history of the judiciary of Scotland.

Overseas Pakistanis are our Strength
Online Student Registration to Launch Soon

Interview with Imtiaz Feroz Gondal, Consul General of Pakistan Manchester

Tajammul Gurmani
Imtiaz Feroz Gondal, Consul General of Pakistan Manchester, began his role in August 2025. A law graduate from Punjab University, he joined the Foreign Service in 2005, initially posting in Beijing where he developed expertise in Pakistan-China relations and learned Chinese. He later served in Abu Dhabi, Spain, and as Director General Finance at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before his current posting. He is the first in his family to join the Foreign Service and become Consul General. Gondal values simplicity, positivity, and reminds everyone that time should be spent on constructive activities.
Aims: What do you think about the Pakistani community in Manchester?
CG: Pakistani community is very nice and vibrant in Manchester. I’m happy that our community is involved actively and they are contributing very positively to this society. Our community is doing a lot of good work including lots of charity work and it’s my wish to support the community to integrate into the society and so that they can play a better role in the UK as well as in Pakistan.
Aims: Do you agree there is a shortage of staff in the passport section?
CG: Alhamdulillah, I feel very happy to inform that earlier we were issuing 28 new passports daily but now we issue 60 appointments and also accommodate walk-in senior citizens. We are issuing 80 passports daily at this time. I always believe in the system and avoid unfair favours and nepotism. I request everyone to follow the system and I have directed the staff members that we will respect the people who respect the system. in the morning till 2 PM those applicants who have pre booked appointments. in the second half of the day after 2 PM I personally meet the walk-in applicants. We will try to serve the people who have genuine emergencies and senior citizens or special need persons.
Aims: What’s the procedure of Pakistani visa?
CG: We are offering an online visa service and nobody needs to visit the Consulate office. We issue the online visa within 72 hours. Visa on arrival and tourist visa is free of cost but this short-term visa will be issued from Pakistan.
Aims: What’s the issue of fake websites?
CG: Unfortunately, some people have created fake websites. The official platform for Pakistani online visas is nadra.gov.pk, which applicants should use for authentic services. Many fraudulent sites appear similar by adding letters such as “E” or “P” to their addresses. These sites often mention “sponsored,” but they have no connection to the Government of Pakistan and are scamming innocent citizens by charging around £200 without providing proper service. These fake websites delay applications and represent a serious financial scam. The government’s official online visa portal processes applications efficiently, whereas fake sites use personal emails to exploit applicants
Aims: Some people complain that official links are down?
CG: Our services are online and there is no complaint that the NADRA system is down. Sometimes there are issues with fingerprints for the passports but people should use a better quality scanner to upload their fingerprints.
Aims: When will PIA flights resume?
CG: Inshallah, it’s on the cards. PIA officials have informed me that there is a procedural clearance pending , otherwise PIA has already signed the contracts for human resources, catering, and even the aircrafts are ready.
Aims: We need to organise the tour of British-born young children to Pakistan?
CG: We can facilitate the visits to different areas as well security of the delegation and arrange their meetings. I would request to propose some practical steps and as Consul General, I will support them. It’s a good idea to arrange the tours for the youth. It’s more important for the community to participate in the local activities and participate in local politics and society If Overseas Pakistanis are strong, our country will become stronger. Overseas Pakistanis are our strength.
Aims: Pakistani export is depriving?
CG: I will arrange a separate meeting on trade and commerce.
Aims: What are you doing for Pakistani students and professionals?
CG: I directed our Community Welfare Attaché to develop a new portal, where we will start online registration of our students, professionals and our business companies, and help them to find jobs. We are also ready to help the students if they have some issues with local authorities. Our Community Welfare staff is trying to create awareness for this purpose.
Aims: What’s your message for the Pakistani community:
CG: The Pakistani community in Manchester is thriving and making meaningful contributions across all segments of society. Community members are encouraged to participate actively in every aspect of civic life, including joining local political parties to ensure their voices are heard. Fostering unity and cooperation is essential for playing a positive role in society and utilizing the many platforms available for engagement. It is important to focus on constructive activities that benefit both the community and society as a whole. The community possesses significant strength and should work collectively to maximize its positive impact. As Consul General, merit, respect, and strengthening systems are always priorities.

CEO, Millennium Care Homes The Millennium Care Journey Interview Ghulam Haider Founder Millennium Care Group Wigan, Greater Manchester

Tajammul Gurmani
Aims: When did you start this business and how many care homes do you have across the UK?
Ans: We have started the care home business about 30 years ago and are currently running 5 care homes.
Aims: What types of care do you provide?
Ans: We are providing Residential, Nursing, Dementia, and Dementia with Nursing facilities.
Aims: Millennium Care recently received B Corp accreditation. What’s your strategy and day-to-day operations?
Ans: Accredited in July 2024, becoming the first UK care home provider to earn this accreditation, scoring 81.2 on the B Impact Assessment, which is well above the average score of 50.9. We reflected performance across governance, worker well-being, community engagement, environment, and customer care. We have set up dedicated B Leaders spanning across care home managers and head office to review B Corp criteria and integrate it into every policy. We are committed to consider workers, community, environment, and residents in all decisions, not just shareholder returns. We run regular staff workshops and collect improvement ideas, better waste sorting, and new community partnerships. We carry out regular surveys and work to action plans for improvements. Staff voice is built into our governance. We have created a feedback platform for staff called “Your Millennium Voice” and management are accountable for acting on feedback. We hold regular staff meetings where team members can propose changes. We work with Intergenerational England, supporting projects that bring children into homes for shared art or music sessions. We partner with local charities such as Wigan Youth Zone to design activities and support the local community. Our latest home, Langtree, is designed with modern efficiency standards, outdoor access for residents, and low-carbon design elements. Our supplier policies screen for sustainability and locally sourced food. Residents are involved in green initiatives such as gardening and recycling projects. We produce an annual impact report that publicly documents what we have achieved and what we still need to improve for each stakeholder group.
Aims: Can you share a recent initiative that improves your values?
We were a gold sponsor for the “Access All Ages” launch, hosted at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. The event featured music workshops that brought participants together aged 3 to 103. We didn’t just fund the event, we integrated prior programming into our homes. Managers and staff had already worked with Intergenerational Music Making and Intergenerational England to bring music sessions into our everyday calendars.
Aims: You are following the Care and Independence household model. What are the biggest benefits and challenges you see in growing this model?
Ans: Langtree and Worthington Lake follow the household model and their designs include small households with dedicated kitchen and living spaces, enabling residents to choose activities, help prepare food, and maintain autonomy. The household model creates a better staff and resident relationship. Consistent staffing means less reliance on agency workers and more trust. Staff satisfaction improves because they see the outcomes of their care more directly. We have seen a reduction in resident distress and anxiety, lower use of antipsychotics, and fewer hospital admissions.
Aims: How do you ensure the quality?
Ans: All of our homes are rated Good or Outstanding with CQC. Regular internal audits mirror CQC domains to prepare for inspections and improve quality. Staff receive training on best practice standards. Most recently, staff received training in Material Citizenship with Dr Kellyn Lee. Material Citizenship is a person-led care approach that focuses on how everyday objects, possessions, and environments enable people, especially those with dementia, to retain agency, identity, and well-being.
Aims: Your care homes provide green spaces and unique design. How do these features impact the residents’ mental and physical health?
Ans: Our commitment to green spaces and the household design isn’t just aesthetic, it is strongly tied to better mental and physical health outcomes for residents, especially older adults and people living with dementia. The benefits include: Stress reduction – access to greenery lowers cortisol levels and reduces agitation. Mood elevation – nature views and time outdoors are proven to lift mood, reduce depression, and increase feelings of well-being. Sense of normalcy – gardens create familiar, homelike environments that support reminiscence and orientation. Encourages movement – even light gardening, walking or sitting outside involves more physical activity than staying indoors. Improved sleep – daylight exposure helps regulate circadian rhythms, reducing sleep disturbances that are common in dementia. Respiratory health – better air quality and ventilation when doors and windows open onto green space

Speeding, Begging, and Drugs: Tough Issues Facing Manchester

⁠Manchester’s Past, Present, and Future: A Conversation with the Lord Mayor

“No Complaints Yet!” – Lord Mayor on His Biggest Win

⁠Manchester’s Challenges, Progress, and Vision: Exclusive Interview with the Lord Mayor

Interview/ Tajammul Latif
A delegation of notable people paid a curtesy call on the Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Paul Andrews in the Lord Mayor’s Suite Manchester. The delegation included Nasrallah Khan Moghal, Mahboob Elahi Butt, Pervaiz Masih, Tajammul Gurmani, Sabira Naheed, Sobia Amber, and Aqsa Bano Raja. The Lord Mayor Paul Andrews also gave an interview to “Aims International” magazine, where he discussed various issues, including housing, homelessness, illegal drugs, mental health, infrastructure, and the challenges he faces as Lord Mayor.
Aims: When were you appointed, and what is the history of the Lord Mayor’s badge?
Cllr Paul Andrews: I’m the 126th Lord Mayor of Manchester, and I was appointed in May 2024. The Lord Mayor’s badge has a very interesting history. The original badge is very old and delicate, but in 1926, the Consul General Association of Manchester bought and paid for a new one, so it’s nearly 100 years old now. I wear it, but it’s safely stored in a big safe when I’m not wearing it. There are 65 diamonds on it. As the first citizen of Manchester, one of the best things I’ve done this year was during the general election. As the Chair of the Council, I’m also the Returning Officer for the city. I had the opportunity to read out the election results on national television, which is quite rare for a Lord Mayor. I remember a lady from the elections office briefing me on what to do, and she said, “You’ve never done this as Lord Mayor before.” I had to read the results exactly as they came in, and if I’d made a mistake, whatever I said would’ve been the official result. I joked, “What if I say the Greens won?” She wasn’t amused.

Interview
Wajahat Ali Khan
Syed Badiuddin Sohrawardy who is a renowned learned scholar, professor, engineer and imam was interviewed by “Aims International” on his arrival at the London offices of “Al-Mustafa Welfare Trust”. Answering the questions to “Aims” that Prophet of Islam said I have been severely tested by Allah! so such a way after his death, AhleBayt are constantly under trial since the incident of Karbala and this test has continued till today. The sad truth is that this bad behaviour was not done by anyone else but by Muslims. Allama Badiuddin said, although many people in the subcontinent have become Ahle Sadat by themselves, but a small number of Sayyids also came to India from outside world. But it is also true that there are a large number of “Banaspati Syeds” in the Indian sub-continent today. Allama Badiuddin said that the Hindus were very accommodating, and they welcomed every visitor from outside. If you see, the Muslims themselves shot arrows at Imam Hussain’s funeral. Allama Badiuddin told; the Prophet of Allah said that whoever changes his position (sect) has made his abode in hell.
Mr Sohrawardy said, “My father was also a religious scholar and a journalist too, he also worked with Agha Shorish Kashmiri, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan and Majeed Nizami Sahib.”
Answering the question, he said that there is no big difference between Sufism and Sharia, Sharia keeps the outward and Sufism on the right path and clean from inside of human, I would say, there is no hatred in the Sharia of the Prophet of Islam. He said that the reason behind our plight is that the Muslims are thinking that this world is not made for us but for the infidels, so, because the clerics have brought us to this stage by threatening us from hell, although the fact is that a person who does not make this world a paradise cannot attain paradise in the hereafter. Indeed, this world is the same for us as everyone else, but due to misunderstanding of religion, Muslims are going backwards from the rest of the world.
Mr. Sohrawardy said, “Though I belong to Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, but personally, does not like communalism because the main reason for communalism is politics.
He said that the rights of women and men are equal in Islam, it is not right to force women to cover their veils, there is a fatwa of Imam Abu Khanifah that it is not necessary to cover the face, in this regard, men should also be warned about the indecency of their eyes. Must be controlled.
In response to a question, he said that there is no such fatwa of Imam Ghazali that playing with numbers or knowledge of mathematics is a satanic act. He said that about three decades ago, there was a big noise in America and Canada to call Muslims terrorists, so I created “Muslim Against Terrorism” in 1997 to convince the western world that “Islam” is the religion of nature and peace. Organized to tell them
It should be noted that terrorists are sinners and criminals, “Islam” has nothing to do with them. Then in 2000, I also established the “Islamic Supreme Council” to gather our youth and teach them the correct religion and to tell the world that “Islam” does not hate infidels, nor we hate Christianity or hate Judaism but we only hate evilness, we believe that the whole of humanity is the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him) because the Qur’an itself says that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as a prophet to all of humanity
Allama Badiuddin Sohrawardy praised the works done by “Al-Mustafa Welfare Trust” for the suffering humanity and said that this charity is serving humanity all over the world, and the whole philosophy of “Islam” is also that of loving humanity without discrimination. He said that Islam is a very open religion, it believes in justice and provision of necessities of life to people and advises to do justice to enemy as well, because no one can worship if he is hungry. He said that I also highly appreciate Abdul Sattar Edhi (late) because he worked only for humanity and sacrificing everything.
In response to a question, Allama Badiuddin Sohrawardy said; the sad situation today is that the number of mosques is increasing faster than the spread of Islam,the obvious reason for this is that clerics cannot attract anyone to Islam by giving long speeches in mosques.