Pakistan Day falls on 23rd of March and is celebrated to commemorate the passing of the Lahore Resolution “in Lahore” on 23rd March 1940, which came to be called as Pakistan Resolution. This resolution gave direction to the Muslims of Indian Subcontinent and ultimately under the exemplary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, they succeeded in achieving “Pakistan” on 14th August 1947.
Pakistan Australia Association of Melbourne (PAAM) celebrated Pakistan day on 28th March 2010 at Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre, Preston, Melbourne. The function went on for about four hours. It commenced with the National Anthems of Australia & Pakistan. The President of PAAM, Dr. Iqbal Gondal then delivered the Presidents note which included PAAM’s initiatives and its efforts in arranging events for the Pakistani Community. After that Her Excellency Ms. Fauzia Nasreen, High Commissioner of Pakistan for Australia addressed the audience. She had come specially from Canberra to attend this event. She appreciated PAAM’s efforts in arranging the function on such a large scale. She also appreciated the contribution of the Pakistani Community in Australia in its various fields. She expressed the aim of the current Pakistani Government to fight terrorism & extremism in all its forms and the promotion of Quaid-i-Azam’s vision of a democratic, liberal & progressive Pakistan.
After her speech a very nice music & dance performance called “Rythm of Unity” was presented. This was easily the best segment of the whole event. It had Pakistani youth both girls & boys from various age groups dancing in traditional Pakistani clothes to the tune of famous “Rythm of Unity” tune. This segment moved the audience and they clapped enthusiastically. This segment was followed by a speech on the significance of Pakistan day by Abdul Khaliq Kazi, an eminent member of Pakistani Community in Melbourne. He traced the history of Muslims in the Indian Subcontinent and how it ultimately took shape of two-nations and led to the attainment of Pakistan in 1947.
Pakistani Idol had then commenced. In this segment, participants sang various Pakistani songs and a panel of three judges decided the winner. “Journey Through Pakistan” was the next segment in which performers wore traditional dresses from various regions of Pakistan. This was an excellently conceived performance which received a well deserved applause from the audience. A presentation on the Pakistan Day Parade then followed. This was done by an inspirational member of Pakistani Community, Colonel Arif. He explained the purpose of the Pakistan Day Parade and how he became the first Commando to lead his contingent of Commandos at the 1972 Pakistan Day Parade. This participation by commandos of Pakistan Army has since then become a very famous part of the whole parade. This presentation was followed by special segment presented by the Pakistan Australia Christian Association’s president Dr. Shahbaz Aftab delivered a moving speech on the role of Christian Community in the creation and progress of Pakistan. He mentioned the importance that Quaid-i-Azam gave to the role of minorities in Pakistan and the fact that white portion in the Pakistani flag is a symbolic representation of that fact.
Mrs Shahbaz Aftab sang a very touching national song “Juug Juug Jeeay Mera Pyara Watan”. This segment was then followed by a comedy play by the Pakistani Student Association of Australia. The show then was closed by a live performance of “Classic Catastrophe” and a joint song & dance routine from all the performers who took part in the event.
All in all this event was an excellent effort by PAAM’s Event Committee coordinator Rizwan Arif & his team. A lot of credit also goes to Dr. Rashid and his wife Dr. Sobia for organising and presenting two best segments “Rythem of Unity” and “Journey through Pakistan”.
