Canada-Pakistan Business Council hosted an exclusive Dinner at the Bayview Country Club, on Friday, October 6th. 2006, in honour of General Jehangir Karamat, Pakistan's former, Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador to the United States. A farewell was also bid to the out-going High Commissioner, H. E. Mr. Shahid Malik, who is to proceed to India on his new assignment as High Commissioner of Pakistan.The dinner was attended by a select elite group, comprising of elected representatives, senior government functionaries, leading professionals and businessmen.

Prominent amongst the attendees, in addition to Gen. Karamat and H. E. Mr. Shahid Malik, were Hon. Mike Colle, Minister for Imigrationand Citizenship, Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, Consul-General of Pakistan, Hon. Jim Karygiannis, MPP, Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, M.P P, Mr. Fareed Amin, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economics & trade, Mr. Khalid Usman, Councillor/Markham, Mr.David Cohen Councilor/RichmondHill,  Hon. Sinclair  Stevens, former Federal Minister of
Industries.

Seen from L to R are. Andy Merchant, Hon.Mike Colle, Hon.Sinclair stevens, H.E.General Jehangir Karamat, H.E.Shahid Malik and Samir Dossal.

Also present at the dinner were executives of  Bombardier, SNC Lavalin, Eckler Partners, Kingsgate Wealth management, World Bank, RBC Financial Group, TD Bank and CIBC Woodgundy, TriVision Electronics to name a few.

The proceedings started with the opening remarks by the director of CPBC, Mr. Samir Dossal.  The president of CPBC, Andy Merchant officially welcomed the General and gave a brief account of the Council's activities and the growing trade between Canada and Pakistan. He also briefed about the recent high-powered Trade Mission to Pakistan which was a great success.

The dinner was followed by a speech from H.E. Mr. Shahid Malik, who spoke about his role in Canada, which has strengthened the political relationship between Canada and Pakistan. During his tenure he was instrumental in arranging the visit of several parliamentarians, the former Deputy Minister and the current Prime Minister of Canada to Pakistan. As a result of their visit and continued interaction between the two countries, the relationship has further strengthened on all fronts. He also acknowledged the role of CPBC in promoting the bilateral trade which has grown significantly in the last decade.

Gen. Jehangir Karamat, who was the chief guest at the event, addressed the audience by covering a very wide range of topics, including the present political scenario of Pakistan. In an impressive delivery, the General talked from both, international and internal perspective about the business opportunities, the law & order situation, current programmes to modernize infrastructure and the creation of the state-of-the-art facilities through a new port in Gawader, roads and highways etc. He elaborated, acknowledged and appreciated some of the details in respect to the growth pattern being experienced in the bilateral trade between Canada and Pakistan, and CPBC's continued role as a prime facilitator.

 Followed by an intense "Q & A" session, the evening began drawing to a close with presentation of mementos, and a vote of thanks by the chairman of CPBC, Mr. Douglas Barker to Mr. Shahid Malik and by the director of CPBC, Prof. Eliott Tepper to General Jehangir karamat.