Sada-e-Watan
Sydney
sadaewatan@gmail.com
More than 600 attended a PAA's Pakistan Independence Day Celebration in Sydney on Sat, 07 August 2010
A Transcript of the Speech of Mr. Iftikhar Rana, President Pakistan Association of Australia
The Hon. David Borger MP
Minister for Roads, Minister for Western Sydney, Member for Granville
The Hon. Barbara Perry MP (Representing Premier NSW)
Minister for Local Government, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health), Acting Minister for Juvenile Justice, Member for Auburn
The Hon. John Murphy MP
Federal Member for Lowe
The Hon. Nathan REES, MP
Member of the Legislative Assembly
Member for Toongabbie
The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, NSW
Her Excellency Ms Fauzia Nasreen
High Commissioner for Pakistan in Australia
Mr Stepan Kerkyasharian AM
Chair of the NSW Community Relations Commission NSW
Mr Hamid Asghar Khan
Acting Consul General, Pakistan Consulate-General in Sydney
Ms Michelle Rowland
Federal Labor Candidate for Greenway
Mr Brent Thomas
Federal Labor Candidate for Hughes
Mr Ed Husic
Federal Labor Candidate for Chifley
Mr Paul Stevens, National Franchise Manager
7-Eleven Head Office
The Hon. Prof Dr. Salaman Fouzay
Professor UTS
Clr Hickam Zralka
Lord Moyer Auburn
Mr Harish Velji
President Sub Continent Labour Party
Mr. Hasan Abbas Raza
Poet, Director Pakistan National council of the Arts
Trustees Pakistan Association of Australia
Distinguished
guests,My dear Brothers and Sisters
Aslam-a-Alaikum!
Today we are celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the creation of our
beloved homeland- PAKISTAN!
I
wish every Pakistani a Happy Independence Day and pray to Almighty Allah! to
shower his blessings and mercy upon our homeland and people.
On this auspicious occasion we must first reflect back on what has occurred in
the past days.
The human tragedy which was caused by the unprecedented floods in
Pakistan have led to colossal loss of life and property. Please join me in
praying for our affected brothers and sisters back home and in appreciating the
hard work of our brave citizens and soldiers who are working around the clock in
order to alleviate the suffering of those in need.
Also, I believe that all of us are Mourning for the death of many due to the
unfortunate violence in Karachi. Also the victims of the tragic air crash in
Islamabad which has caused the death of our dear friend
Syed Ashiq Hussain Shah
including 152 valuable lives.
The 14th August is for serious reflection where we should
remember all the sacrifices which have occurred in order to make the creation of
Pakistan possible.
This day should not only remind us of our past but also inspire us towards a
better and brighter future. We as a nation must follow the teachings of our
founding father Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Honour the sacrifices of
our forefathers who gave up so much so that we may have a free homeland.
In the short time since the independence of Pakistan, Our country has been
through many challenges and difficult situations. The brave people have always
risen to the occasion and have always come forward and contributed to the
national cause.
All Pakistanis have high hopes of the democratic government which has come into
power due to the struggle of the common man. We hope that they will evolve a
clear vision and devise people friendly policies which will alleviate the
sufferings of all. This leadership should evolve policies which would lead to
social justice, equal opportunities and economic prosperity for the masses.
The
Pakistani community settled here in Australia is peaceful, law abiding and well
settled.
Our educated workforce is contributing significantly to the local economy.
And is well integrated in Australian society. The presence of our Australian
friends who are senior political figures indicates the warmth of the
relationship that exists. I would like to especially thank all of them for being
here
and joining us on this special occasion.
We as a people should strive for piety, honesty, and personal integrity, but
equally important are the virtues of tolerance and generosity of spirit. We must
learn to tolerate dissent and to coexist peacefully despite religious, ethnic
and social differences. This is a continuous process in which both the people
and the government will have to play their role so that the coming generations
may grow up in a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.
On behalf of Pakistan Association of Australia I would like to thank our
sponsors, especially our Association members who helped a lot in organising this
function.
Also our
dear friend
Syed Zafar Hussain Shah
Editor-in-Chief Sada-e-Watan Sydney, who is providing us great media support to
the Australian/Pakistani community. Please give a big hand for
Syed
Zafar Hussain Shah and
Sada-e-Watan
!
Most of you are aware that the PAA is a non-profitable organisation. Since I came as president Ive never received any funds from any department. We have orgainsed many events in the past and this year such as like this evening. It will cost us a lot of money however we generate the source of funds from our executive committee members and our friends.
It is indeed wonderful to see so many families gathered here to celebrate the occasion.
Before ending I would also urge all of you to
Please donate generously to the
Prime Minister of Pakistan's Flood Relief Fund
in order to help those back home who are in
desperate need for food, medicine, clothing and shelter. You may do so by
sending cheques directly in favour of the Pakistan High Commission Canberra.
Once again I pray to Allah! for the safety and prosperity of both our nations
PAKISTAN AND AUSTRALIA. May Allah Almighty grant us and our leaders the wisdom
to move away from the mistakes of the past.
Thank you all.
Allah Hafiz!
Pakistan Zindabad
