Pakistan Association of New Zealand Incorp. (PANZ), a representative body of Pakistani community in New Zealand, celebrated the 65th Independence Day of Pakistan on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at Mount Eden War Memorial Hall in Auckland.
A pretty large number of the community members jubilantly participated in the programme with passionate feelings. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, JP, National List MP was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
In his inaugural speech, Naveed Hameed, President of the Association, briefly apprised the participants of the struggles and sacrifices made by their forefathers in making the movement of Pakistan's Independence a success. “The country was one of the foremost nations to be granted independence from colonial rules, after the World War II and the formation of the UNO”, he said. He specifically mentioned that it was the 27th of Ramadan on August 14, 1947 when Pakistan emerged as an independent country on the global map, and fortunately today it is 26th of Ramadan when we are celebrating its 65th anniversary with all zeal and spirit.
Welcoming his good friend Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Hameed said that Bakshi has always been supporting the right cause of Pak-New Zealanders, both in parliament and in public.
Speaking on the occasion, Bakshi gave an outline of various programmes, plans and steps of the National government to improve the country’s economic situation and stressed on the removal of hurdles in way of implementation of important infrastructure development plans in the coming years. He urged the people coming from the Indian sub-continent to look for jobs in the mining and oil exploration industries being set up in nearby rural districts of New Zealand, where he promised higher per capita income in comparison to Auckland.
Hameed assured that Pakistani immigrants are proud of becoming Pak-Kiwis and they are committed to fostering the economic development of New Zealand with dedicated hard work and positive commercial activities.
He also acknowledged the support of the sponsors of the programme and thanked all participants, who in spite of being amidst fasts for the holy month of Ramadan, came to celebrate the Independence Day of their homeland.