Canada                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Canadians Asked To Help Build Pakistan

TORONTO: On 14^th of August, 2004, Pakistan’s flag was hoisted at the prestigious City Hall of Toronto and proudly kept flying there for ten days. The occasion was celebration of the 57^th Independence Day of Pakistan. It was organized by the Consulate General of Pakistan and participated by hundreds of people.

Shoaib Sarwar, Vice Consul General of Pakistan in Toronto, read the messages of President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain. This year the celebration was unique and held at many places by various organizations including five Melas---two in Montreal and one each in Markham, Mississauga and Toronto and a grand parade in Downtown.

The Pakistani community became lively and emotional and took part in all the functions in large numbers. The spirit was worth watching. People were seen singing, dancing, crying in joy and waving the Pakistani flag. The sound of `Long Live Pakistan’ and `Long Live Canada’ could be heard loud and far. It baffled the Torontonians, as it never happened here in such a way before. It would be remembered for long and inspire the community to do much better in future. It was a great show of love and unity.

GRAND PARADE: This year’s special was a Pakistan Independence Day Parade from Queen’s Park to the City Hall and a function in the evening on August 15. Hundreds including Shahid Malik, High Commissioner of Pakistan, and Ghalib Iqbal, Consul General of Pakistan, participated in the parade and function.  Shehzad Roy, and other leading artists from Pakistan entertained the crowd. The Pakistan Canadian Cultural Council organized the events. Awards were also distributed on the occasion.      

POPULAR TRIO: The driving force behind the successful and impressive celebrations was Ghalib Iqbal, Consul General of Pakistan in Toronto. Two rising stars and source of great inspiration for the Pakistani and South Asian communities---Wajid Ali Khan, MP, and Dr Shafiq Qadri, MPP, both Canadians of Pakistani origin, and many renowned community leaders gave him tremendous support.

The trio is playing a great role by sincerely and practically encouraging in every ways the Pakistani community to come forward and join the mainstream. In a very short period, they have produced remarkable results. They are doing their best possible to help the community in climbing the ladder of success and progress and the future is predictable---very bright.  They are helping build a bridge of love, peace and understanding. The community too is responding positively and making them proud by extending full support.  Now the voice of the community is stronger, clear and heard. Impressions are left and influences felt. The changes are visible, attractive and effective.

This achievement and breakthrough is indeed very significant. It will help bring great positive changes in the government policies and thinking of Canadians of any origin. The ice has been broken and now is the time to remove obstacles and barriers. It used to be difficult but not any more. The march towards unity and progress has started. People are joining in thousands to make it practically successful and help Canada maintain the position of one of the best and safest place on the earth.

The positive contributions of any type and in any field of all leading personalities of the community in helping the Pakistani and South Asian communities is tremendous and commendable. Monitored by healthy criticism, they need to be fully supported.

MARKHAM MELAS: Javed Malik and his partner Saif Sheikh of Diamond Promotions are renowned for their social contributions. They organize the famous Markham Melas. About 25,000 people attend the Melas (Events) held at the Markham Fair Grounds every year. Here too Pakistan’s flag is hoisted. Dignitaries and diplomats proudly attend the ceremony.

Like every year, this year too the speeches were very impressive, particularly of Javed Malik on which Ghalib Iqbal commented that Javed covered all the points, which he was supposed to focus on as diplomat. The Canadians were asked to help Canadians of Pakistani origin in the progress, prosperity and stability of Pakistan, particularly to end poverty and illiteracy. The Canadians were also praised for understanding the problems of people of Pakistani origin and helping them in joining the mainstream.

Participation of Canadians including MPs, MPPs and officials in large numbers in the celebrations was a proof of their will to support. They enjoyed the events very much. They were highly impressed by the presentations and entertainments. People fully enjoy the entertainment, food and environment in the Melas. Leading artists from Pakistan and other places entertain the crowd. This year Ali Haider, Madiha Shah, Nisar Butt, Nooran Lal, Rafaqat Ali, Aziz Warsi and Megha took part in the Markham Mela.

MEDIA: The media played a great role in success of the celebrations. The events were prominently publicized and widely covered by all publications. The efforts were commendable. Unfortunately, due to lack of professionalism most of the South Asian media is still unable to attain even the required standard and quality. Mostly non-professionals are handling the publications. The professionals working with them are helpless because the focus is only on revenue and not standard or quality.

A powerful media can help in the remarkably quick promotion of the community and richness of the society.  It can help create proper understanding and bring people closer. The approach to dump garbage news in the empty pages must be changed. Each and every line is extremely important and could make a great difference if used properly.

Ghalib Iqbal, Consul General of Pakistan, remained busy in attending many functions on both August 14 and 15. He appealed to the people to send their children in the media profession. He said the vacuum in the mainstream national media must be urgently filled. He asked the people to forget their differences and unite on a common platform to achieve their objectives. It is extremely important and definitely possible, he stated. He said he is doing his best in this connection and the response too is positive and very encouraging. People need to be prepared for the challenges, he added.

Ghalib said he was very much hopeful that in the near future many Canadians of Pakistani origin would reach the parliament and institutions in Canada and make the community proud. The change is evident, he added.

FUNDRAISING: He praised the fundraising campaign of Canadians of Pakistani origin and collection of $50,000 for the Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga by Active Care Foundation and Pakistani Community Centres on August 22. The fundraising dinner and Independence Day celebration was held at the Candles Banquet Hall. Kafila Siddiqui was the MC on the occasion. Dil Muhammad and his team collected the funds.  Ghalib Iqbal announced that $50,000 more would be collected next year for the hospital. Dil raised $20,000 last year for the Credit Valley Hospital.

Ghalib said: “We must not forget our people in Pakistan and launch fundraising campaign for them also, particularly children living in the rural areas. They need our help badly. We must urgently arrange at least 5000 computers for such children.”

He said: “Despite difficulties, we must maintain the standard, respect and dignity at all costs. Pakistanis have learnt from their mistakes. Now Pakistan’s economy is in a take off position, progress is steady and institutions are being strengthened. We have to implement the message---Unity, Faith and Discipline--- of the Founder of Pakistan.”

He asked the people to introduce Pakistan in the most respectable way, treat the country of adoption as your own and contribute in its progress and prosperity.

Frank Klees, MPP, who is tipped as the winning horse in the race for the leadership of Conservative Party of Ontario, too attended the fundraising dinner. Kafila introduced him to the audience as a great leader and capable of helping the people. He was given a grand welcome. Frank is very popular and respected in the community.

Wajid Ali Khan, MP, said in his speeches: “The feeling of love for Pakistan has multiplied here. Pakistan needs us as much as we need it. We must ask ourselves as to what we can do for Pakistan. We must not forget the values. We must help build Pakistan’s institutions. We must join the system in Canada and raise our head proudly. I need your help to help the people.”

“Pakistan is on a very high priority of Canada for help. It is our responsibility to build both Canada and Pakistan simultaneously. By building Canada we can help Pakistan. I will do my best to help Pakistan and people of Pakistani origin,” he stated.

Dr Shafiq Qadri, MPP, said: “I am the first Pakistani to sit in the Parliament of Ontario. I am proud to be Canadian of Pakistani origin. We must salute our elders for our success. It is because of them we are enjoying the freedom and respect in Canada. We must maintain unity to promote the community. Your help is essential for progress.”

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