Balal Zaffar and Faraz, two Pakistani members of Project Gemstone at Yau Tsim District (YTDIST), took part in the passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force Headquarters on August 20. On passing out, they officially joined the Auxiliary Police Force and are posted to Tsim Sha Tsui Division and Yau Ma Tei Division respectively. Regular officers Ifzal Zaffar and Shamas are brothers of Balal Zaffar and Faraz. Having enhanced their Chinese proficiency and communication skills through Project Gemstone, the two pairs of brothers successfully joined the Force to demonstrate the solidarity of the regular and auxiliary Force.

On YTDIST’s invitation, Chairman of the YTDIST Junior Police Call (JPC) Honorary President Council Mr Yip Chung-lun and YTDIST JPC Honorary President cum Consultant of Project Gemstone Mr Sin Nga-yan attended the passing-out parade. Mr Yip and Mr Sin have all along endeavoured to support the Force by organising various training projects for non-ethnic Chinese who are aspired to join the disciplinary forces. So far, more than 30 Project Gemstone members have successfully joined various disciplinary forces.

Project Gemstone members Faraz (left) and Balal Zaffar (right) are auxiliary police officers now.