Pakistan-Canada Association held a memorial service and press conference for the late Benazir Bhutto, who was brutally assassinated on Thursday December 27th. A book of condolences was made available for people to express their grief and admiration for the late Benazir Bhutto. A few prepared comments were made by President Farrukh Alam and Trustee Haroon Khan and then the floor was opened for comments from the public. MLA Harry Bains, Penny Pridy expressed their sadness and expressed their hope for democracy to prevail in Pakistan. Members of the Indian community showed their solidarity and support of the Pakistani community and members of the Pakistani community expressed their admiration, love and devotion for a great Pakistani leader. A question and answer session was held with members of the media and general public which lasted approximately 45 minutes. Global TV, CBC, CTV, Channel M, News Radio 1130, Radio India, Asian Star, Miracle Newspaper, Canada Times and several other media outlets were in attendance. Pakistan-Canada Association wishes to thank those members of the community for attending our memorial service and for sharing in the grief and sorrow that has not only gripped Pakistan but the World.

Links to media reports will be provided as they become available:

Radio Canada Telejournal

mytelus news service

News 1130

CBC.ca

News 1130 2nd Article

CKNW 980

Canada.com

CBC.ca Memorial Service Article

Globe and Mail

Abbotsford News

Pakistan-Canada Association and the Pakistani Community of the Lower Mainland are deeply shocked and saddened at the assassination of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson (PPP) and Two-Time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto after a political rally in the Punjab city of Rawal Pindi at the hands of an apparent suicide bomber. The Late Benazir Bhutto was a tireless worker for the benefit of Pakistan and made the ultimate sacrifice to bring moderation and democracy back to the people of Pakistan. Whether or not you supported her politically her death has struck a cord with all Pakistanis and it is only after her tragic death that her importance to Pakistan can now be truly felt. It is our wish that a full investigation into her assassination be held and those responsible be brought to justice. Not unlike the Ghandi family in India and the Kennedy family in the United States, the Bhutto family has been a force politically and a tragic reminder of what happens when one stands up for their beliefs. Pakistan-Canada Association joins the people of Pakistan in a state of mourning and pray to Almighty Allah to forgive any shortcomings of the Late Benazir Bhutto and give her a place in Heaven, Amen.

A Press Conference will be held at Pakistan House (12059 88th Avenue, Surrey) on Friday December 28th at 3:00 pm.

Pakistan-Canada Association is pleased to invite you to attend our Annual Canada Day Celebration and Picnic. The event will be held on Sunday July 1st at King George Park in Richmond (Cambie and No. 5 Road). The start time will be 11:00 am. A potluck table will be setup for guests to bring a dish to share. Chicken and burgers will be provided by Pakistan-Canada Association. Games and sporting events will be organized for all ages and new this year will be a ‘6-a-side Cricket Tournament.’ If you are interested in joining our cricket tournament and have 5 other players to join you please contact Mr. Intekhab Ahmed at 604-502-9984. Come out and kick off the summer in grand fashion. For more information contact Farrukh Alam at 604-276-2999 or Mr. Jamil Chaudhry at 604-251-3717.

Pakistan-Canada Association is pleased to arrange and announce a visit by Minister/Deputy High Commissioner Mr. Najm us Saqib and his passport team to Vancouver March 3rd, 4th and 5th. They will be available between 10 am - 1 pm and 2 pm – 6 pm on March 3rd and 4th and until 5 pm on March 5th for passport and NIC card applications. Please visit them at the Best Western Hotel, 8033 King George HWY, Surrey, B.C. V3W-5B4. For more information please contact Mr. Sabir Pannun at 604-309-6036 or Mr. Raza Mirani at 778-859-9469. Visit www.pakcan.com to stay up to date and to download official forms and applications.

PCA’s Eid Milan Fundraising Dinner, held on Saturday Jan 13th, yielded $10,000 in cash and pledges from the 300+ crowd in attendance. A huge thanks to all who attended and all who donated. A special thanks to Calgary Sweets and Pak Punjab for donating the wonderfully delicious food and to the Alam Family for donating the tables and chairs. Haji Noomani was our guest speaker and speak he did, with ease, inspiration and encouragement. Thank you to everyone who donated their time to make this event a success and to everyone who stayed late to help clean-up. Pakistan House is definitely up and running and we couldn’t be happier. See you all at our next event, Republic Day 2007!

Many of you have heard of the attempts being made by Bridges TV, an American Muslim TV station, to launch on Rogers Cable in Canada. Below is a letter written by Raza Mirani and the response from Rogers Cable:

Hello Aivy:
As President of Pakistan-Canada Association in Vancouver, I would like
to encourage Rogers Cable to provide Bridges TV to the greater Canadian
community. A channel, such as Bridges TV, will allow Canadians to
become educated about Islam and gain a better understanding into a religion
that has been so mercilessly misrepresented by the mass media and individuals
claiming to be working in the name of Islam. I can see no greater example
of the power of television then bringing understanding and education to
people. Please put Bridges TV on your cable system or provide a rational
why you are not allowing it to enter the Canadian market.

Sincerely,
Raza Mirani

———————————————————————————————————-
Dear Mr. Mirani

Thank you for your email. We understand how passionate the Muslim community is about having this channel made available on Rogers.

Rogers is very interested in carrying this channel. However, at the present time the financial conditions demanded by Bridges TV are not possible for Rogers.

As a result we have been unable to reach an agreement with Bridges TV but it is our intention to continue discussions in the hope that we can reach a fair agreement.

Regards,
Aivy Reinfelds

In a report aired by CTV on Friday September 22nd, Liberal Minister and Defense Critic Ujjal Dosanjh said ‘Pakistan is harboring terrorists.’ In other words Mr. Dosanjh is claiming that the Government of Pakistan is purposely providing shelter to known terrorists. As members of the Pakistani Community in Canada a comment like this from an elected Canadian member of parliament should be considered unacceptable and an explanation should be given by Mr. Dosanjh to clarify his comments and offer an apology. You are encouraged to write, e-mail, call Mr. Dosanjh’s office asking for an explanation of his comments. He can be reached at the following:

Constituency Office
6408 Fraser Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V5W 3A4

Phone: (604) 775-5323
Fax: (604) 775-5420
Email: dosanu1@parl.gc.ca

Parliament Hill Office
Room 278, Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Phone: (613) 995-7052
Fax: (613) 995-2962
Email: Dosanjh.U@parl.gc.ca

On October 22nd, 2005, Mr. Haroon Khan was interviewed by CBC Radio. Press the Play (>) button below to listen to the interview.

On August 15th, 2005 Raza Mirani was interviewed by Radio India and Co-op Radio. Click the Play (>) buttons below to listen to these interviews.

Radio India:
Co-op Radio