Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Speech by Mr.Ashraf Chohan General Secretary Pakistan Association of Australia at the Independence Day of Pakistan's Function held at the Auburn Sydney NSW
His Excellency High Commissioner of Pakistan, Hon.Consul General of Pakistan,Honourable members of the Parliament,Distinguished guest, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of PAA,I welcome you all at the Independence Day celebration of Pakistan.Pakistan Association at this occasion would like to congratulate the community for celebrating 65th Independence Day of Pakistan. Indeed, this reflects the degree and intensity of love we have for our country. Having this opportunity I would like to give you a brief outlook of what the association has been doing for the community since last two years.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Celebrating National & Religious Events and Organizing Welcome & Farewell Dinners for the Govt. Officials & business delegates are the routine activities of the Association which are taking place on regular basis. Apart from that, the committee has developed and introduced Community Projects. You will be pleased to know that the idea of having a community centre which was introduced last year has taken a few steps ahead after the President of the Association had successful meetings with the Lord Mayor of Parramatta and then Minister for Housing Mr. David Borger.
In the mean time, Auburn Council has been approached to get an office place for the Association and I am glad to announce that the Auburn Council has been kind enough to give the Association a office place in Auburn Community Centre which we are using for our routine activities since last two months. We acknowledge and appreciate the efforts put by Mr. Naeem Babar in this connection. Efforts are also being made and work is in progress for acquiring 200 Acres Land for the Cemetery.
Because of catastrophic events and natural calamities around the world including Australia and Pakistan in last few years, there was a desperate need for the Association to have a Charitable Status in order undertakes charity work. As a result of hard work and continuous efforts the Association has eventually got the status of Charitable Association. Pakistan Association of Australia is a charitable Association Now.
Consequently, by virtue of that status, the association was able to help the flood victims in Pakistan and Queensland. Fifteen (15) containers of food, clothes, medicine, tents and other basic commodities were sent to Pakistan last year for flood victims. Similarly, Fund Raising dinner was organized and funds were raised for flood victims in Queensland.
Community Support in this context has remained a vital tool to accomplish these goals.We are thankful to the community for supporting us in all such activities.Even tonight the participation of community members at this occasion to celebrate this event is highly appreciated.
Ladies and gentlemen, although the Consulate Office in Sydney is delivering excellent services to the community,there have always been meetings between the Association & Consulate Management to discuss community problems and find ways to address those issues.The element of mutual understanding and cooperation exists between Association & Consulate Management to serve the community efficiently and effectively.I believe that this Symbiotic Relationship between the two would go a long way in resolving community problems and bringing harmony in the community.We are extremely thankful for all the Sponsors whose regular support from time to time made every event possible.
The role of media personnel’s has always been conducive in advertising and promoting all the activities PAA initiate.The Pakistan Association of Australia is especially thankful to Syed Zafar Hussain of Sada-e-Watan and Muhammad Asif of Pak-link for their support and contribution in this regard.
Thank you very much, once again for coming and joining us in this celebration.
Pakistan Zindabad.
