APWA has been in existence in London since 1956 and was chaired by the wife of the Pakistan High Commission. APWA UK was set up by the then APWA Pakistan President, Mrs Laila Haroon Sarfaraz. She registered it as a charity with the Charity Commission of England and Wales on 19th May 2010. By this date over a million British Pakistanis had made the UK their home.
The charity was launched at the House of Lords on 5th July 2010 under the Patronage of Baroness Shreela Flather at the River Room, the Lord Speaker’s Apartment. The Chief Guest was Baroness Hayman, Speaker of the House of Lords.
The charity is run by its Trustees. The wife of the Pakistan High Commissioner in Britain is the ex officio Honorary Patron of The UK APWA.
The APWA UK has the registered number 1136005 and is subject to the laws of England and Wales.
The Charity Commission is a non-ministerial government department which registers and regulates charities. It is the independent regulator of charities. Registered Charities in the UK have the advantage of being able to claim Gift Aid amounting to a further 25% on certain donations. They are all answerable to The Charity Commission.
APWA has raised funds for victims of natural disasters in Pakistan and for other ongoing charitable projects. APWA Uk aims to raise the status of British Pakistani women through knowledge and support.