Pakistan Community Korea A sign of KOPAK friendship

This Article is written for the promotion of IAG 2014. Here is the link for article. 
 http://blog.incheon2014ag.com/home-away-from-home-2/

Life is always difficult abroad especially when you have different language, culture, traditions and norms. Meanwhile it becomes very hard if you have no attractions get together and sufficient opportunities to enjoy the way you want. Korea is somehow different country from this respect. There are a number of opportunities for the internationals to relish the new cultures, traditions and ways of life and at the same time introducing their own culture, foods, and traditions to other communities. Somehow you don’t feel you are abroad because of the attractions around you.

Korea is growing as a big investor on foreigners and is getting a status of most favorite country for the tourists. Last year more than 10 million tourists visit Korea, which is a big number ever. It is because of the respect, love and acceptability for all the cultures, regions, traditions and people of different mindset. Korea has made swift advancement by promoting their culture industry and communication strategies and it is considered a hub for international community. They offer many opportunities according to their interest to each and every nation and that is why everyone is eager to be part of all those activities.

Like all the other communities my adored Pakistan has also a large number of people residing in Korea, attaining their goals and endorsing the liaison of both the nations. According to 2009 Survey by the Korean government there are more than 10,000 Pakistani in Korea and according to latest report this number has amplified to 15,000 up to date. This digit could be considered as a high number of foreigners living in Korea from a nation. Pakistan Community in Korea can be divided into three main categories which are the Pakistan Business Association, the workers community and the Pakistan Student Association. All these bodies are joined in Pakistan Community Korea which works under the leadership of Pakistan Embassy in Korea. All these forums are highly motivated to bring both the nations more closely through sharing trade, education and man power.

Amongst all the most proficient and dynamic is the Pakistan Students Association. PSA was formed in 2007 to address the common issues of students in Korea.  Pakistan Students Association (PSAK) provides a single platform to all Pakistani students in South Korea and their main goals are to promote friendship and unity among Pakistani students in Korea. To share the diverse culture of Pakistan with the Korean and International communities and to promote love and peace in this region of the world are other goals of the Pakistan Student Association. PSAK is a symbol of Pakistani culture in Korea. You may be surprised to found the members of PSAK attending all the events, festivals and cultural gatherings all around the Korea representing the green flag. The PSAK has introduced” HINA Culture” in Korea which is highly appreciated by the International community and Korean girls. Recently PSAK presented Pakistan in Itaewon global festival, Chagnwon festival, gangwando festival, Gwangju cultural festival, Jinju cultural festival and many more. 

 It is the PSAK who has developed collaborations with many Korean and international Organizations in their common fields of interests. The volunteer wing of the PSAK regularly visits the orphanage centers and old houses to help the needy ones and promote the philosophy of peace love and respect for everyone. They also contribute in various volunteering works in Korea which includes, collecting donations for health projects, run for a cause, cleaning of schools, jungles and beaches and much more. PSAK has a great role in promoting games like Cricket in Korea. In this regards Pakistani scholars are invited to schools and colleges to guide the kids in the field of cricket. At the same time the members of PSAK organize and participate in cricket tournaments at university level and for the international professional players. Recently the Pakistani scholars in Yeonsi University and Hanyang University organized outstanding events of cricket in which more than 8 university players participated and had an opportunity to show their talent. The PSAK organize online lectures and consistence assistance to the young scholars on how to get scholarship opportunities in Korea and around the globe. PSA has played a great role in collecting funds for earth quake and floods victims in Pakistan .I must say the Pakistan Students Association is one of the most active and well organized bodies in the student’s communities in Korea.

Pakistan Business Association is the other pillar of Pakistan community Korea. It is one the most organized business association among the different associations of foreigners in Korea. It is established to promote and develop business and trade relations between Korea and Pakistan and they are playing a prodigious role in bringing both the nations more close through trade, import and export. Pakistani are involved in many business fields like clothing textiles, energy, power and heavy machinery. PBA arrange different kinds of events like the celebrations of Pakistan/Korea days, cultural events to promote the culture of Pakistan and also they are playing a great role in introducing Pakistani foods and leather in Korean markets. Recently they have introduced Pakistani mangos, basmati rice in the Korean markets which gain applause worth mention.  PBA has recently signed many memos with the Korean companies in the fields of construction, health, textile, heavy machinery, solar energy and car industry.  Pakistani workers are the other pillar of the community as there are more than 6000 in number working in different fields and performing their duties honestly and deliberately to promote the relations of both countries.

Almost all the Pakistanis are Muslims and they don’t eat pork and other meet other than Halal. I heard it was very difficult to found halal food 10 years before but since the halal food industry is very much promoted in Korea, the number of Muslim visitors increase every day and that is why Halal food is a growing industry in Korea. You can easily find halal meet shops and restaurants in almost every city of Korea. Being a religion independent country there are a number of mosques almost in every city of Korea where the Muslims from all the nations pray five times a day and gathers on religious gatherings, festivals and events. There is a great mosque in Itaewon where the biggest gathering of week takes place on Friday.

Pakistan Community Korea is recently trying to organize all the members of Pakistan under the umbrella of an organization namely Pakistani Community in Korea to promote better communication and understanding between the community and  government and its government departments, local authorities, other groups and individuals for the benefit of Pakistani people in South Korea. This community makes quick decisions in emergency situations like illness, deaths, charity and legal matters. This community also tries to resolve any issue among the different bodies of Pakistani community in Korea. This kind of work is highly appreciated by almost all the stack holders of the community.

Pakistani community in Korea is growing every day and there are a number of Pakistani looking towards Korea for their education, jobs and trade. It is because of the reforms made by the Korean Government for the foreigners and the acceptability and attraction of the Korean people and culture for the rest of the world. Now as the Korea will be welcoming delegations of various Asian countries and different cultures of Asia including Pakistan in the Incheon Asian games 2014. Hope this will be a hall mark for the relations of both the countries in particular and will bring harmony peace and unity in general to the diverse nature of Asia.