The Canada Pakistan Business Council hosted an evening to Celebrate the Cultural Heritage of Pakistan at a very well attended function held at the prestigeous Bay View Country Club, on Friday 19th. May 2006 as part of the Govt. of Ontario's initiative of having declared the month of MAY 2006 - as the "South Asian Heritage Month"

Guests represented the complete spectrum of Canadian Society and included Businessmen, Bankers, Lawyers, Senior Government functionaries and members of the media.
Prominent Personalities included the Hon. Mr. Mike Cole - Minister for Immigration, H.E Mr.Ghalib Iqbal - Consul General of Pakistan, Mr. Andy Merchant - President of the CPBC, all of whom, spoke on the occassion, as well as other leading members of the Business community, including a large segment comprising Canadians of Pakistani Origion.

The Hon. Minister of Immigration, made reference to his recent visit to Pakistan, and the positive impression and impact of the visit, by stating that the warm feelings extended to his entourage, by All segments of the Pakistani Society, starting from the Persons affected by the Tragic Earthquake - All the way to the Senior most Government Ministers and the Business community, had impressed him greatly.

The Minister paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, and expressed great appreciation for the Vision and far sightedness of the Quaid -e- Azam - Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and said that he is looking forward to facilitating and increasing the present volumes of Trade between the two countries.

On behalf of the Govt. of Ontario The Hon. Mr. Mike Cole Presented a Plaque to Mr. Andy Merchant, in recognition and appreciation of the dedicated services of the CPBC, towards facilitating and helping to maintain, a sustained level of growth in Trade volumes, and Cultural activities.

H.E Mr. Ghalib Iqbal - spoke about Pakistan's heritage, and of being a Nation with great diversity, with a people that posess dedication, skills and integrity and of developing greater levels of co-operation between the peoples of Canada and Pakistan.

Mr. Andy Merchant - President of the CPBC also informed the gathering, of the councils plans for facilitating and increasing the volumes of Trade and commerce between the Countries, and of the next Trade Mission to Pakistan, which would include representatives of a large number of Canadian Enterprises, and Trade Organisations, and which is expected to be visiting Pakistan shortly.

The Cultural stage was set with Sitar and Tabla, being played by the director of the well known sitar school in Toronto, Mr Anwar Khurshid, alongwith Tabla support provided by Nadeem Shah.

Genevieve Beaulieu, the French Canadian artist, and an avid classical dancer, enthralled the attendees with her performance.

Mr. Saleem Khan, had set out a rare collection of artifacts, including Moen-jo-daro sculptures, ancient coins, a large variety of Paintings, reproductions of well known artists like Guljee, Sadequain and others, and various intricately embroidered fabrics, as well as Literary works and Poetry, by world renowned Pakistani writers and Poets like Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Zafrullah Khan, Bapsi Sidhwa and others.

The evening ended at about 8.30 PM, with Mr. Samir Dossal, Director CPBC, thanking the guests for their participation.