Sada-e-Watan Sydney

Sada-e-Watan Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com

PAA Celebrate Pakistan Day in Castle Hill, Sydney

(Exclusive Report to Sada-e-Watan Sydney)

Pakistan Australia Association (PAA) held a Pakistan Day function here in Castle Hill, Sydney on Saturday 25th March 2006. President of PAA Ejaz Khan referred to last year’s earthquake & said, “On Pakistan day we renew our commitment to our country and people and give them assurance that in hour of need they would find us standing side by side to them.”
Among others the ceremony was also attended by MP for Reed Laurie Ferguson, NSW MP for Strathfield Virginia Judge, Chairman Multi-culture Australia, Benjumin Chaw, Kessar Trad of Islamic Council, Justice Ali Nawaz Chauhan, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Canberra Babar Malik, Minister of State for Health Begum Shahnaz Sheikh & other dignitaries. A large number of members of Pakistani community were also present on the occasion.
In his speech, Ejaz Khan informed the audience about the efforts made by PAA to help earthquake victims in the Kashmir region. He also threw light on his trip to the tremor-hit areas. Ejaz said that although the Kashmiri people were suffering emotionally, physically and financially as the result of the huge natural disaster; yet the determination was evident from their faces. “I saw kids who were still smiling at the face of this hardship,” he said. The President PAA said, “This Pakistan Day should be celebrated with the commitment and hope that we would continue to help for rehabilitation of the earthquake victims and would try build better future for them.” Ejaz thanked the whole Australian community, Federal & State Government for providing financial, emotional and technical support to the earthquake victims. Ejaz also paid a special tribute to Mr Zafar Hussain the Editor-in-Chief of Sada-e-Watan Sydney for his efforts to provide an elegant source of news to the Pakistani Community.
MP for Reed Laurie Ferguson while addressing the gathering, paid tributes to the immigrants particularly the Pakistan and Afghan immigrants who help Australia build its infrastructure. He said that immigrants were playing positive and constructive role in the Australian society. NSW MP for Strathfield Virginia Judge who attended the ceremony on behalf of the Premier Morris Iemma also appreciated the constructive role which Pakistani immigrants were playing in the development of the country. Chairman Multicultural Australia Benjuman Chaw also stressed the need for closer interaction and dialogue among various communities living in Australia. Justice Ali Nawaz Chauhan in his brief speech tried to dispel misconception about Islam found in the Western societies. He said that Islam was a liberal religion which did not permit murder of humanity. High Commissioner of Pakistan Babar Malik highlighted the importance of Pakistan Day and congratulated Ejaz Khan and the local Pakistani community for the efforts they were making to enhance the stature of their country in Australia.
Minister of State for Health Begum Shahnaz Sheikh while addressing the ceremony promised to the community that she would take up the case of moving of visa facility from Sydney to Canberra with relevant quarters.
General Manager Habib Finance Australia Mr Asif ,President UIA Dr. Orakondi, Moninder Singh of Punjabi Council Australia, Lalee Sheturam of Technocrat Association of Australia, President of Pakistan Medical Association Dr. Farooq Wasti, Dr Aman Ullaha, President Bhavan Australia Ghambir Watt, members & representatives from Pakistan Sindi Association and Pakistan Christian Association also attended the colourful ceremony.
The ceremony was followed by a scrumptious dinner and enthralling musical performances by Ghulam Abbas who came all the way from India for this occasion. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony which was evident from the fact that they remained till the end of the proceedings.