PIA NEWS VOL.

Issue 22

PIA News
Vol.5

26 th October 2015
A

FAROOQ KHAN APPOINTED NEW HON. CONSUL FOR WA

PASSION, INTEGRITY & APNAPAN

Dear All,
The news of the earthquake in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India is making headlines since evening. As
the day ends it is believed that this earthquake is not as devastating as was in 2005 however we need to
wait till morning.
As you are all aware that HE Naela Chohan is currently on her first official visit to Western Australia, a
dinner was hosted by her Excellency tonight and we are delighted to announce that Mr. Farooq J Khan is
appointed as Honorary Consul of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Western Australia. Congratulations
Last night Pakistanis in Australia hosted a dinner for Her Excellency which was attended by the
dignitaries and members of the Pakistani community and now as part of her last public engagement she
will be participating in a Panel Discussion titled In Pursuit of Peace in South Asia. At the University
of Western Australia form 4 5.30 pm. The venue is Fox. Lecture Theatre, G 59 Arts Building.
The other speakers at the event are
His Excellency Musa Javed Chohan, Former Diplomat, Pakistan
Professor James Trevelyan, University of Western Australia
Dr Rajat Ganguly, Murdoch University
Professor Samina Yasmeen, University of Western Australia
On a separate note, we are delighted to inform that the Cath Lab donated to Baluchistan is
about to receive its first patient and Insha Allah this month.

PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 22

PIA WELCOMES THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

Her Excellency Naela Chohan attended the dinner on her first day in Western Australia. She was
accompanied by HE Musa Chohan, former diplomat as well as Brig. Asghar the defence Adviser and Mr.
Faruk Khan.
On behalf of Hon. Mike Nahan, the Minister for Multicultural Interests she was welcomed by Hon.
Andrea Mitchell and the Shadow Minister for Multicultural Interests Hon. Margaret Quirk.
In the opening remarks, Dr. Zarrin S Siddiqui welcomed the High Commissioner on a very important
milestone as PIA celebrates 4th Anniversary. She specially thanked both Premiers office as well as High
Commission in Canberra to arrange the visit on dates that PIA Management Committee members are
available.
Her Excellency appraised the community members and dignitaries of the bilateral relations between
Australia and Pakistan on many fronts since the start of diplomatic mission in 1948. She also
acknowledged the problems encountered by the Pakistanis living in Western Australia in relation to
passport which cannot be resolved as the logistics for Machine readable service is difficult at this stage.

PK FILM FESTIVAL 2016

We have requested the High Commissioner if it is possible for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sponsor
an advertisement in the Pakistani newspapers so we can get the best of Pakistani movies to be screened
in a Film Festival.

FREE KAVAAN TO A SANCTUARY

A campaign has been initiated by a Pakistani in Australia in collaboration
with other groups to free Kavaan the elephant in the Zoo maintained by the
Capital Development Authority. This petition has more than 2800 signatures.
We have found out that, because Kaavan was a "present" given to Pakistan
from Sri Lanka when he was a baby, the decision to release Kaavan is made
not only by the CDA, but also by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
We hope that our High Commissioner will convey our sentiments to the
relevant authorities in Pakistan.

TRIBUTE SUB INSPECTOR ABDUL MAJEED SHAHEED ( 29th May 2015)

Sub Inspector Abdul Majeed Shaheed sacrificed his life in the line of duty when terrorists
wanted to bomb the cricket stadium in Lahore where the match was being played
between Zimbabwe and Pakistan. It was after a long interval that a cricket team has
agreed to play in Pakistan and Abdul Majeed Shaheed saved the nations honor and
many precious lives by giving his own.
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PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 22

One of our members actually approached the family to help them at very difficult times but they were
too dignified to take money from strangers and only requested for prayers and dua for the shaheed.
They said to request for the government to recognise the Shaheeds act for the country and will only
accept assistance by government as part of this recognition. Can you please bring this to the attention
of the authorities higher up like Pakistani ambassador in Australia to take it up the chain of our
government for consideration.

MILLAT SCHOOL BHADEYWALLA

Iqbal Khan is one example to show that one person can
make a difference in lives of hundreds if there is a will. He
has established a school in his home which has now ten
classes, ten teachers and 250 students.
A request has been made to the High Commissioner to
support this project through media and other institutions
so as to encourage others to come forward and initiate
similar projects.
This school itself has got potential to be the showcase
project for promoting education in Pakistan through
cooperation of overseas Pakistanis.
A

PIA NOMINATES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIVISION

It is our pleasure to nominate the Community Engagement Division for this prestigious award in the
team category. We have been working with the team members on different issues such as
Islamophobia, Domestic Violence and Road Safety and they have been of immense help to us as and
when required.

PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 22

FAYYAZ SUMBAL CHARITY CRICKET MATCH ON 15th NOVEMBER

By MARZIO DA RE
Fayyaz Sumbal Charity Cricket Matches commenced in Lahore in 2013, an initiative of the
Australian Federal Police along with the Lahore Gymkhana Cricket Club.
This match will be played between the AFP social cricket team against a predominately Pakistani
origin team based in Western Australia. The idea is to raise awareness of the good relationship
between Australia and Pakistan through sport and to raise awareness for the plight of the many
police officers that are killed leaving families desperate to survive.
In August 2013 Fayyaz Sumbal, a Pakistani Police Officer, sacrificed his life to save many others by
tackling a suicide bomber at a funeral in Quetta. Fayyaz was just one of several hundred Pakistani
policemen killed in the line of duty each year. He left behind a wife and two children, a tragedy all
too common in Pakistan. This heroic act inspired Pakistanis and Australians to unite with a
common goal; easing the needless suffering of those affected by senseless violence.
In November 2013, the first Fayyaz Sumbal Cup took place in at the historic Gymkhana Cricket
Club in Lahore. The game raised over $5000 for the Balochistan Police Welfare Department, and
the Fayyaz Sumbal Foundation was born.
Since then the Fayyaz Sumbal Cup has become a yearly fixture at Gymkhana, with the Pakistani
Cricket Board, Cricket Australia and Australian & Pakistani diplomats donating their time and
efforts. With international cricket almost non-existent in Pakistan, the FS Cup is an example of the
unshakable solidarity between Pakistanis & Australians in the ongoing struggle against extremism.
In March 2015 the first Australian Fayyaz Sumbal Cup was held at Rupertswood in Sunbury,
Victoria. Members of the Sunbury community banded together to support the Foundation, using
cricket to reach out across the world in solidarity.
As we work towards 2016 and beyond, FS foundation will continue to host events to raise
awareness and funds for people in dire need.

SUPPORT REQUIRED
A very unfortunate incident that happened a day before the dinner in South Australia when a Pakistani
postgraduate student was racially abused and his belongings were snatched from him within 24 hours
of his arrival. Th student was scared and wanted to go back immediately without laying any charges and
is currently supported by the sister organisation in SA. The incidents like this signify the extent of fear
that Muslim Communities are currently living in Australia and needs to be tackled.

PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 22

MATTERS OF THE HEART 2015

The event will be held on 14th November at Manning Senior Citizen Centre from 6.30 9.30 pm

HE NAELA CHOHAN WITH HON. CONSUL FAROOQ KHAN & DEFENCE ADVISOR BRIG. ASGHAR ON L EFT AND HE MASUD CHOHAN & DR. NASEER
QAMAR ON RIGHT