Born in India, Ghulam Shahzad moved with his family to Pakistan during Partition, where they settled in Lahore. Ghulam Shahzad spent his childhood there and completed his education in the city, later earning a law degree and a master’s degree in Islamic Studies.
Ghulam Shahzad arrived in the United Kingdom in 1976. Moving from Lahore to Rochdale brought a major cultural change. Lahore had been a busy and vibrant city, full of colleges and activity, while life in the north of England felt very different. Ghulam Shahzad’s family had already settled in Britain, and the move also offered an opportunity to continue his education and broaden his experience.
Soon after arriving, Ghulam Shahzad explored opportunities for further study, including visiting University of Manchester to understand the requirements for continuing his academic development. At the same time, he began work in local industry. Over many years he worked in a local mill, where management recognised his education and potential. He was given training opportunities, eventually qualifying as a training instructor and in first aid. Ghulam Shahzad credits this period with helping him develop confidence, communication skills and leadership.
When Ghulam Shahzad first arrived, South Asian communities in Rochdale were still relatively small and scattered. Many families had come from villages in Pakistan, Kashmir and India in search of better opportunities. For many, the goal was simple: to work hard, support relatives back home and improve the lives of future generations.
Ghulam Shahzad credits his mother as his greatest teacher, describing her as the person who shaped his values of learning, service and resilience.
Sharing knowledge through education
With a background in Islamic Studies, Ghulam Shahzad felt a strong responsibility to share what he had learned. One of his earliest contributions in Rochdale was teaching children in the mosque. Working alongside local teachers and imams, he helped young people learn in a supportive environment.
Ghulam Shahzad also became involved in one of the most important developments in the local Muslim community: the conversion of a former church into a mosque. Working alongside respected community figures, he helped raise funds and support the establishment of a permanent place of worship. For Ghulam Shahzad, it was not only about creating a religious space but about helping build a centre for community life.
Supporting families and improving local housing
As the community grew, Ghulam Shahzad saw that many newly arrived families needed practical support. Housing conditions in some areas were poor, and many homes lacked basic facilities such as central heating or indoor bathrooms.
Ghulam Shahzad volunteered his time through a local community-based action project, helping residents complete applications for housing improvements and explaining how local services worked. For several months he offered this support free of charge, seeing it as a simple duty to help others settle into a new country.
This work also gave Ghulam Shahzad a wider understanding of the future needs of the community. He saw that as families expanded, small houses would become overcrowded and community spaces would become increasingly important.
Campaigning for Urdu language education
Recognising the importance of language and identity, Ghulam Shahzad became a strong advocate for Urdu education for children growing up in Britain.
He believed that while children would naturally learn English in school and in everyday life, maintaining their mother tongue was equally important. Language connected children with parents, grandparents and wider family networks, and helped preserve culture and heritage.
When official support for Urdu classes was initially resisted, Ghulam Shahzad helped establish an Urdu Action Committee. The campaign attracted public attention and helped open wider conversations about bilingual education and cultural identity in Rochdale.
Ghulam Shahzad later worked as a training officer within the council, where he continued promoting cultural awareness and community understanding.
Building international links through twinning
Ghulam Shahzad also played an important role in developing international links between Rochdale and Pakistan.
Working with local councillors and community representatives, Ghulam Shahzad helped explore the idea of town twinning. After discussions with local leaders and officials, links were eventually established with Sahiwal.
He helped set up a working committee and remained actively involved in building those relationships. A principle was agreed from the beginning: community members travelling as part of the partnership would fund their own journeys, while official visitors would be supported through formal channels.
For Ghulam Shahzad, town twinning was never simply ceremonial. It was about exchanging ideas, learning from one another and creating practical benefits for communities on both sides.
Health, training and practical change
One of the most successful projects to emerge from these partnerships focused on maternal healthcare.
Working alongside professionals in the UK and Pakistan, Ghulam Shahzad helped develop training programmes for maternity services. He recalls this as one of the most effective examples of international cooperation, helping improve local practice and significantly reduce maternal mortality rates.
Ghulam Shahzad also became involved in other practical initiatives, including management training and waste management programmes. Through these projects he travelled widely, sharing ideas about how local government, communities and institutions could work together more effectively.
Rochdale and the co-operative tradition
Rochdale’s history has always been important to Ghulam Shahzad. He speaks with great pride about the town’s place as the birthplace of the co-operative movement.
Ghulam Shahzad became involved in civic celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Rochdale Pioneers. He was part of local steering groups, public events and community activities that brought together people from across Rochdale’s many communities.
Ghulam Shahzad believes the co-operative tradition remains one of the town’s greatest strengths. The values of fairness, participation, community responsibility and shared progress continue to shape Rochdale’s identity.
He has also argued that visitors arriving in Rochdale should immediately be reminded of this heritage. In his view, the railway station should clearly welcome people to “Rochdale — the birthplace of the co-operative movement”.
Pride in Rochdale’s wider history
Over the years, Ghulam Shahzad has also developed a deep appreciation of Rochdale’s wider historical importance.
He points to figures such as John Bright and John Milne, along with the many civic leaders, reformers and thinkers connected to the town. To Ghulam Shahzad, Rochdale is far more than a place of industry. It is a town with a rich intellectual, political and cultural history.
Creating a better environment
Ghulam Shahzad’s commitment to community life also extends to the physical environment.
He believes that cleaner streets, flowers, planting and well-kept public spaces can positively affect people’s wellbeing and sense of belonging. Even small acts of care, Ghulam Shahzad says, can help change attitudes and strengthen pride in place.
This belief led to work with local mosques on environmental improvement projects. Several mosques in Rochdale were later recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society, an achievement Ghulam Shahzad sees as an important moment for the town.
Still a student
Despite decades of public service, education and community leadership, Ghulam Shahzad still describes himself simply as a student.
He believes learning never ends. Every conversation, every experience and every generation offers something new to understand.
Ghulam Shahzad’s story reflects not only a personal journey from Lahore to Rochdale, but also a wider story of migration, community building, public service and belonging. Through education, volunteering, civic participation and cultural leadership, Ghulam Shahzad has helped shape the life of Rochdale while remaining deeply committed to learning, sharing and serving others.
