NEWS / EVENTS

PAFA Community Day (17-Oct-09)

PAFA would like to thank the Community for making PAFA Community Day such a great success.  

The function was arranged on self-help. Both of Corroberre Hall and park were booked for the day. The Hall was booked incase if it rains also for people who need to use the toilets, chairs and tables. More than 200 people including children have attended the function. The Community gathering divided itself into two sections one side majorly dominated by Men and other side with Women and children. There was a big BBQ with salad, soft drink and Sweet for every one. Adults enjoyed chatting and socializing while the main attractions for the children were Jumping Castle, Balloon Making and Panic games. Fine weather after 2 weeks of rains and clouds made the day more enjoyable.  

The venue was cleaned professionally after the function by PAFA team. The feed back from the community is that function really touched the heart of community and they are looking forward for the next function now

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26 July 2009 - PAFA Annual General Meeting was held on 26th July 2009, following executive committee was elected: Click here to see the Photo Gallery

09 October 2008 - PAFA Silver Jubilee, Sada-e-Watan online news , Canberra Times and Imran Khan visit - PAFA postponed Its silver jubilee and withdrew its invitation to Imran Khan. New date for PAFA silver jubilee will be announced soon. Click here to read the more...

03 October 2008 - PAFA will celebrate its Silver Jubilee with Imran Khan (12 October 2008)- Yes you have read it right...Legend is coming in Canberra to Celebrate the Silver Jubilee of PAFA. Ex Pakistani skipper and head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf will cut the cake.. Every one is invited. Click here for more details.

30 August 2008 - PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY 2008 CELEBRATIONS IN CANBERRA -PAFA And Pakistan Cultural Association Celebrated the Pakistan independence day in a spectacular way. The program included the great music and performances by children and students. Delicious Gala dinner catered by Taj Agra Restaurant and special performances and presentations were performed by the Pakistani youth. Some 400 people attended this function from young to old all ages enjoyed the function. Chief guest His Excellency High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Jalil Abbas Jillani, and special dignitaries Senator Garry Humphries, Senator Kate Lundy and Mr. Mubashar Shah attended the event. Click here to see the Photo Gallery.

14 August 2008 - Message from Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani, High Commissioner for Pakistan, for the Pakistan community on the occasion of Independence Day - 14 August 2008. Click to read Page1- Page2

13 August 2008 - New PAFA Executive Committee members, PAFA announced the names of two new executive committee members today. Ameer Ahmad Awan and Sana Asghar are the new Executive commiitte members. Ameer is also the President of MSA (Muslim Student Association, UC) and PAFA representative for The University of Canberra. Sana is the Vice President of PSA,ANU (Pakistan Student Association, ANU) and PAFA representative for The Australian National University (ANU). PAFA welcomes the new EC members & hope that the new EC members will prove themselves in achieving PAFA's vision and promoting the timeless culture of Pakistan and Pakistani community in Australia.

Executive member ...... Mr. Ameer Ahmed Awan

Executive member ...... Ms. Sana Asghar

31 July 2008 - PAFA announced the date for its 61st - Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations which will be celebrated on 30th August 2008 at 5.00 PM in ......read more about the function

29 July 2008 - PAFA Executive Committee visited Pakistan High Commission to Australia (Canberra): On Tuesday 29th July 2008 the newly elected PAFA executive committee visited Pakistan High Commission.His Excellency High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani & Deputy High Commissioner Mr. Tanveer Khaskheli. Mr.Jalil congratulated the team on... Click here to read more and see the photo gallery.s

22 July 2008 - His Excellency High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Jalil Abbas Jillani congratulated the newly elected PAFA executive committee. Mr. Jillani acknowledged the contribution of PAFA for the goodwill of motherland and Pakistani Community in Australia. Click here to see the letter from His Excellency.

19 July 2008 - PAFA Annual General Meeting was held on 19th July 2008, following executive committee was elected:

28 December 2007 - A pictorial tribute to late PM Benazir Bhutto On December 27, 2007, Bhutto was killed while leaving a campaign rally for the PPP at Liaquat National Bagh, where she had given a spirited address to party supporters in the run-up to the January 2008 parliamentary elections. After entering her bulletproof vehicle, Bhutto stood up through its sunroof to wave to the crowds. At this point, a gunman fired shots at her and subsequently explosives were detonated near the vehicle killing approximately 20 people. Bhutto was critically wounded and was rushed to Rawalpindi General Hospital. She was taken into surgery at 17:35 local time, and pronounced dead at 18:16. Click here to see the pictorial tribute to BB.

11 November 2007 - (PCA)Pakistan Cultural Association organised a cultural evening "Tribute to three Masters" which included live performances by a world renowned Pakistani artist " Anjum Ayaz" and much more. Anjum Ayaz is an internationally renowned Pakistani artist, sculptor and theatre director . In his live performances he paid tribute to three great masters of literature :
Theatrical performance on a story of Saadat Hasan Manto
Poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Calligraphy of Sadequain
Evening also included Tribute to a great Philosopher Sir Muhammad Iqbal (Allama Iqbal). Chief guest His Excellency High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Jalil Abbas Jillani and other community members enjoyed the literary evening.

26 October 2007 - Pakistan Cultural Association (PCA) started URDU Radio program Awaz-e-Dost: the voice of Urdu speaking community in Canberra and the surrounding region. It is a community radio program proudly brought to you by Pakistan Cultural Association, Canberra (a voluntary service to the community)and is sponsored by the ACT Multicultural Department and local businesses. The program is broadcasted on every Sunday (3-4pm) and every Tuesday (6-7pm) from FM91.1 . You can now listen to Urdu radio Online during the broadcast hours: click here to listen.

01 Sept 2007 - PAFA And Pakistan Cultural Association Celebrated the Pakistan independence day in a spectacular way. The program included the great music and dances by Riaz shah, OZ entertainment, Jasmine and Jenny. Delicious Gala dinner catered by Taj Agra Restaurant and special dress fashion show was performed by the Pakistani youth. Some 300 people attended this function from young to old all ages enjoyed the function. Chief guest His Excellency High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Jalil Abbas Jillani, and special dignitaries Ex-Senior Multicultural Advisor Vic Rebikof, Senator Garry Humphries, Senator Kate Lundy, Marry Porter MLA attended the event. Click here to see the Photo Gallery for the function.

15 July 2007 - PAFA Annual General Meeting was held on 15th July 2007, following executive committee was elected:

President .................. Mr. Khawar Saleem
Vice President .......... Mr. Irfan Yousaf
Secretary .................. Mr. Saad Hafiz
Treasurer .................. Mr. Muhammad Jahangir
Executive member .... Mr. Zia Qureshi
Executive member .... Mr. Afzaal Anjum
Executive member .... Mr. Shahid Zia
Executive member .... Mr. Shahzad Mazhar
Executive member .... Mr. Sohail Talib Lone

19 May2007 - PAFA Online Forum and Messageboard launched: This forum is a new initiative by PAFA to keep us in line with the new emerging internet blogging technology!. Signup for free on our forum, express your views or discuss them and benefit from new features. http://pafa.org.au/messageboard

PAFA message board contain the following categories:

Community News and Anouncements
Hidden PAKISTAN
General Category
STUDENT INFO CENTRE - Everything you need to know. Scholarships, Halal food guide, Universities & Visa info.
Music Corner - List your top ten here.
Have your Say - Share and discuss any topic.
PAFA Classified - Buy or sell (list your items here)
Accommodation Available/Wanted (Sell, Rent or share)
URDU corner
Religious Corner - Learned anything new? share it here.
If you are already a PAFA message board member and you don't remember your password, you can request it here: http://pafa.org.au/messageboard/YaBB.pl?action=reminder

24 March 2007 - PAFA and Pakistan Cultural Association Celebrated the Pakistan day in the record setting way. The Function and program was ranked the best ever function in PAFA's history included the great music by Jazba group, delicious Gala dinner catered by Taj Agra Restaurant and special appearence by versatile PTV actress Uzma Gillani. Some 430 people attended this function from young to old all ages enjoye dthe function. His Excellency High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Babar W. Malik, Director Multicultural Deptt. Nick Manikis, Senior Multicultural Advisor Vic Rebikof, were present. QNLDR Tim Strickland, Lachlan Sinclair, Tanya Bennett & LTCOL Isaac Seidl represented the medical team of Australian Defence Force involved in the Operation Pakistan Assist during the earthquake relief efforts. Click here to see the photo gallery.

27 August 2006 - 59th Pakistan Independence Day celebrations -PAFA 59th Pakistan Independence day was celebrated with great traditional enthusiasm and zeal. This Function was a joint effort by Pakistan Australia Friendship Association (PAFA) and Pakistan Cricket Club Canberra (PCCC). click here for photo Gallery1, Gallery2 & Gallery3.

July 2006 - PAFA Annual General Meeting was held on 08 July 2006, following executive committee was elected:

President .................. Mr. Khawar Saleem
Vice President .......... Mr. Syed Jaffery
Secretary .................. Mr. Saad Hafiz
Treasurer .................. Mr. Irfan Yousaf
Executive member .... Mr. Zia Qureshi
Executive member .... Mr. Afzaal Anjum
Executive member .... Mr. Shahid Zia
Executive member .... Mr. Shahzad Mazhar
Executive member .... Mr. Sohail Talib Lone

11 February 2006 -An Exhibition of Pakistani Culture - Presented by PAFA_www.pafa.org.au: An Exhibition of Pakistani Culture was officially opened by Mr Sarfarz Khanzada, Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan on Saturday 11 Feb 06. PAFA Executive Committee and many Pakistani community members were present. Click here to see the photo gallery.

13 Dec 2005 - Pakistan Earthquake Fundraising Night - Organized by Vietnamese Community Melbourne, President of PAFA Khawar Saleem handed over these cheques to H.E. Mr Babar W. Malik High Commissioner of Pakistan. click here for more details & images

03 Dec 2005 - PAFA has setup a stall to collect donations for earthquake Victims at National Hockey Centre Canberra Women Hockey Champions Trophy 2005 in Canberra.click here to see the Images

21 Nov 2005 - Liberal Party’s Mr Bill Stefaniak MLA, supports PAFAs request to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer to send more helicopters for Earthquake rescue operations click here to see  letter to Foreign Minister

20 Nov 2005 - Fundraising Day "Cricket Match & BBQ" - Photos  click here more

15 Nov 2005 - Labour Party supports PAFA's Quake Appeal click here to see Labor Party's appeals donations to their members & senators 

10 Nov 2005 - PAFA launched "HOPE": "HOPE" Help fOr Pakistan Earthquake victims campaign is for creating awareness of the catastrophe in the community and raising funds for the much needed tents, blankets and medicines. This includes adopt a tent, donate a blanket and provides life saving medicines.

09 Nov 2005 - Australian Defence Force response to earthquake appeal, Four Blackhawk helicopters, RAAF B-707 and C-130 aircraft and 140 medical personnel sent to Pakistan. Click here view the letter from Australian Defence Minister 

08 Nov 2005 - PAKISTAN AUSTRALIA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL

01 Nov 2005 - The Chronicle News "Appeal for victims of Quake by PAFA's President Khawar Saleem

27 Oct 2005 - Express Solidarity  An Assembly was held on 27 October, 2005 at 1100 hours at the Canberra Islamic Centre (221 Clive Steele Avenue, Monash, Corner Isabella Drive and Clive Steele Avenue) in memory of those who lost their lives and to express solidarity with millions rendered homeless in the 8 October catastrophic earthquake that destroyed vast areas of Azam Jammu and Kashmir and northern Pakistan From: High Commission for Pakistan, Canberra

21 Oct 2005 - ACT CHIEF MINISTER DONATES TO PAFA's QUAKE APPEA  On 21 October 2005 at 11:30AM at Chief Minister office, Pakistan Australia Friendship Association Canberra (PAFA) has launched its earthquake appeal officially during a press conference with Jon Stanhope ACT Chief Minister and H.E. Mr Babar W. Malik High Commissioner of Pakistan at Chief Minister's office. The Chief Minister handed over a cheque of $10,000 to the Pakistan High Commissioner for Pakistan Earthquake's Victims. Image Gallery

15 Oct 2005 - Special Prayer & Fundraising for the Earthquake Victims : PAFA organized Special Prayer & Fundraising for the Victims of Earthquake on Saturday, 15 October 2005. Around 700 people gathered to pray for those who had been affected by this disaster, including immediate family members of the victims.

Sept 2005 -  New PAFA Executive Members: We are pleased to announce that three new young faces have joined PAFA's Committee as a Executive Members. The names being Mr Ali Khan, Mr Irfan Majeed and Mr Amir Malik.

19 Aug 2005 - Pakistan Independence Day Function 2005:
The Pakistan Australia Friendship Association Canberra Inc. (PAFA) celebrated the 58th anniversary of Pakistan Independence Day on 19th August 2005. This colourful event was attended by about 300 guests including diplomats, ACT government officials and members of various multicultural organizations. His Excellency Mr Babar W. Malik, High Commissioner of Pakistan was the chief guest of the evening. Other guests included Mr Muhammad Sarfraz Khanzada, Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr John Hargreaves, Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Mr Gary Humphries, Senator of ACT, Ms Kate Lundy, Senator of ACT, Ms Mary Porter MLA, Mr Mohammad Omari,President of ACT Multicultural Council Inc. Brigadier Mr Imran Malik Defence Advisor, Major Tariq Farid from Pakistan Army, Captain Khaild Pervaiz from Pakistan Navy. PAFA President Khawar Saleem Khan extended warm greetings on this special occasion to all the guests. There was a variety of entertainment throughout the whole evening. “Desi Boys” from Melbourne and “Riyaz Shah” from Sydney performed national and folk songs. A comedy skit “Minister 420” was performed by the young local talent “Ahsan Rao, Farooq Ahmed, Hammad Khanzada, Hasan Ehsan and Waqar Ahmed”. The lucky door prize was drawn by Minister Mr John Hargreaves. 2 raffle prizes were drawn by Mr Muhammad Sarfraz Khanzada Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan and 1 by Brigadier Mr Imran Malik Defence Advisor. The best dressed male was selected by Mr Gary Humphries Senator of ACT and the best dressed female was selected by Ms Kate Lundy Senator of ACT. The evening was full of fun and the people enjoyed the food and entertainment. Function Images please click here

27 July 2005 - PAFA new Executive Committee met H.E. Mr Babar W Malik:  PAFA new Executive Committee members met H.E. Mr Babar W Malik High Commissioner of Pakistan at High Commission for Pakistan, Canberra.

12 July 2005 - Registration of Domain name pafa.org.au : One of the first steps taken by this new Committee is to register the domain name for Pakistan Australia Friendship Association Canberra as www.pafa.org.au. We have also provided a link for the Pakistan High Commission website in our website.

10 July 2005 - new President’s Khawar Saleem's Message: (PAFA President for 2005-2009)

Firstly on behalf of PAFA Executive Committee I would like to thank you for coming and participating in this AGM.

In the coming term I believe I have a big responsibility on my shoulders to lead the community under one platform. This may not be an easy task but with your support, mutual understanding and efforts it can be achieved.

Let me make very clear to you that PAFA does not belong to any individual or a particular group, it belongs to every member of the community and this is everyone’s organization. I encourage all community members to provide their input and suggestions for improvement of PAFA.

We as a team would like to grow PAFA’s profile in the wider community so we all feel proud about our organization and ourselves. We will work with anyone who will help us achieve this goal. We will also try to build bridges with other community organizations.

I would like to see increase in PAFA membership, which will also benefit the financial position of the organization and this is only possible with your cooperation. So please renew your membership and/or become a member.

Again our aim and motto is to unite our community and resolve any conflicts if there may be.

In closing I would like thank the outgoing committee for their contribution in their term.

Best wishes for the future

Khawar Saleem

President – PAFA