Over 250 guests gathered for a well organized Annual Dinner in celebration of the 24th Anniversary of Canada-Pakistan Business Council. This was a special night as several members were recognized and honoured for their achievements and contributions. The event was attended by many dignitaries who came to pay their tribute to the Council’s directors, advisors, volunteers and members for the relentless services rendered to promote trade. These included: M.P Hon. Bryon Wilfert, M.P Hon Jim Karygiannis, Deputy Minster ETD, Mr. Fareed Amin, M.P.P Dr.Shafiq Qaadri, Mr. Dave Barrow, Mayor of Richmond Hill, Councilor David Cohen, Ambassador Naeem Hasan, Ambassador Karamat Ghori, Faiza Batta of IFC, Bill Whittaker, President, Law Society of Toronto, to name a few.

The event started with National Anthems of Canada and Pakistan. Emcee Syma Merchant requested Andy Merchant President of CPBC to welcome the guests. Andy gave a brief account of the Council’s activities and highlighted the opportunities for the bilateral trade. He also thanked the directors and supporters for the success of achieving a milestone which included two trade missions in the past twelve months and for the presentation of five thousand dollars scholarship to LUMS. Among other activities, the Council hosted several dignitaries including Senator S.M.Zafar, Senator Ishaq Dar and the Governor of State Bank of Pakistan as well as the visiting Pakistani Parliamentarians. 

In his address, H.E. Mr. M.J.Chohan, High Commissioner for Pakistan, praised the Council’s activities over the past 24 years which has resulted in enormous growth in trade. He also paid tribute to the Pakistani diaspora for their love for Canada and Pakistan as well as their efforts and contributions to make Pakistan a powerful nation in the South Asia region. Hon. Jim Karygiannis presented H.E. Chohan a copy of Charter of Rights in Urdu.    

The keynote speaker, Finance Minister of Ontario, Hon. Greg Sorbara spoke about the Liberal party’s political role as a responsible government which has greatly contributed in the well being of the people of Ontario. He also spoke about the Premier’s visit to Pakistan which has left an ever lasting impression on him and has created awareness in the possibility of long term trade between Canada and Pakistan in various sectors. He thanked CPBC for their ongoing role in promoting the bilateral trade.  

Syma Merchant then asked Samir Dossal to come to the podium to announce the presentation of awards. Samir then asked Mr.Sorbara, Mr.Chohan and Andy Merchant to join him. The following were the recipients of the awards:

Friends of Business Council award were presented to:

CPBC paid a tribute to TV Ontario by presenting a cheque in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars for the promotion of education towards the kids program.

After the award presentation, a sumptuous dinner was served which was followed by enchanting entertainment. The world famous Sitarist Ustad Irshad Khan played his melodious music on sitar and sang beautiful ghazals which were highly appreciated by the audience. The program concluded around midnight.

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