Pakistan Association of Australia celebrated Pakistan Day on 23 March 2008 at Grand Westall 2 Lidcombe in a traditional way. Approximately 350 people from Australian Pakistani, Afghani and Indian Community attended the function.

His Excellency Jalil Abbas Jilani High Commissioner Pakistan was the chief guest in the formal dinner. Hon Barbra Perry Minister for Juvenile Justice and Minister for Western Sydney and assisting the Premier on citizenship represented Premier NSW Hon Morris Iemma. Hon David Borger MP for Granville, Hon Julie Ownes Federal Member for Parramatta and Stephan Kriksharian Chairman Community Relation Commission , Azam Mohammad Counsel General Pakistan, Syed Khalid in charge Visa section in Sydney, Nadeem Jaffer Manage PIA were the guests of honours.

The President Ejaz Khan formerly welcomed the chief and distinguished guests and thanked the guests who participated. Ejaz said that Australian Pakistan community is very happy that our beloved country is back onto track of democracy once again after political turmoil. Only stable, democratic and prosperous Pakistan would effect allies in the war against terrorism he added. He said the Australian Pakistan community will play its role to strength ties between Pakistan and Australia and extend our hands to help the newly government on any issues it might require assistance.

Chief Guest Mr Jilani addressed the audience and congratulated Australian Pakistani community for their tremendous role to build up good relations between Australia and Pakistan and thanked the community for its assistance to represent Pakistani as the modern and tolerant nation.

Hon Barbra Perry congratulated Australian Pakistan community on Pakistan Day. She observed that the function was attended by various other communities which she said showed the symbol of a good multicultural society. She praised PAA efforts to open their arms and strengthen relations with other communities living side by side in Australia.

Hon David Borger was delighted to be in the function and congratulated the community on this auspicious Pakistan day. Mr Borger was the Mayor Parramatta before elected as a member of NSW Parliament. He attended PAA function for the first time ever. It is worth mentioning that he was the first Mayor of any local council in Sydney who donated $5,000 to Pakistan Earth Quake to PAA few years ago.

Hon Julie Ownes thanked the Pakistani community support in her re-election and congratulated the community on Pakistan day.

Mr Kriksharian chairman CRC was delighted to be the guest in PAA function first time and praised the efforts of PAA to promote peace and harmony in the community and congratulate the community on Pakistan Day.

General Secretary PAA Latif Ch was the MC of the formal part of the function. Mrs Mammon Habib and Farjad Mehmood handled informal parts of the function very well.

Energy Australia has offered scholarships to outstanding Australian Pakistani children who are doing well in year 10, 11 and 12 which guarantee jobs after completion of study in Energy Australia. PAA thanked Energy Australia and a member of coordinate these scholarships for the community but wished to be anonymous.

PAA presented certificates of appreciations to those Australian Pakistanis who has performed outstanding jobs to build our community profile. The certificates were given to Usman Khawaja a tremendous cricketer recently selected to play for NSW Blue's team, Mohammad Akram who plays Hockey for NSW team, Rehan Alavi host of the SBS Urdu Radio services for his efforts to form a national body to represent Australian Pakistani community, Syed Zafar Hussain Shah for his online community newspaper Sada-e-Watan and Zahid Minhas for his community TV programme.

President Ejaz Khan said that the PAA will recognise each year whosoever performed outstanding job to enhance our community profile through their positive and constructive work, outstanding performance in education, outstanding performance in sports and so on to encourage the community particularly youngsters to come forward and prove their talent to prove we are the best.

PAA urges the Australian Pakistanis to be members of the association and participate to improve its activities. PAA announced that membership will be open till 15 April 2008 and provided membership forms to all those who wish to obtain membership. PAA further announced that the election for the Trustees will be held on 30 May 2008, only members can nominate themselves. Duly completed Membership and Nomination Forms along with correct fee should be delivered to General secretary or President in person before expiry date which would be 5pm on 15 April 2008 for membership and 5pm on 25 May 2008 for nomination.

Dinner was served by Mustaq from Himalaya Pakistan and Indian restaurant Five Dock. PAA congratulates Mustaq for tasty dinner and excellent service. Entertainment was provided by the Moonsoon Dance club. Their performance was highly appreciated by the guests.

          

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