Volume 3

Issue 09

Pakistanis in Australia Inc.

A newsletter of the community, for the community and by the community

29th April 2013

Contents:
Page 1 Page 2 Page 5 From the desk

From the desk

With less than two weeks to go when Pakistan votes, every Pakistani is praying for a team that leads the nation to peace and prosperity. Ameen. As the voting day comes closer, the chances that overseas Pakistanis will be allowed to vote are getting bleaker every day so all we will be doing will be watching the media for latest updates on 12th May. Following ANZAC Day on 25th, the Pakistani nation on 30th April will remember the heroes and sons of the soil who gave their lives to save the country from foreign invaders. Take time to remember and offer your prayers for those who are Centre for Muslim States and Societies is arranging a seminar on 30th April ref: elections in Pakistan (details on page 2). A submission for grant has been made last week on behalf of this group. Finally remember, that SBS new program schedule comes into effect tomorrow.

Community update Help us find Mr. Khans family Screening of Pakistani movie

Pakistanis in Australia Inc. is an incorporated group to support students and migrants from Pakistan in their settlement and to initiate projects in Australia and Pakistan that promote mutual collaboration between two countries and promote a positive image of Pakistan and Australia. 46 Kanangra Crescent, Greenwood WA 6024. Ph. 0434841705, pakistanis.in.australia@gmail.com

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COMMUNITY UPDATES
ELECTIONS IN PAKISTAN 11th MAY, 2013: POSSIBLE SCENARIOS
Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:00 - Political Science 2.63, Conference Room, The University of Western Australia, Hackett Drive #1, Crawley.WA

For the first time in Pakistans history, a democratically elected government has completed its term and has stepped down. Pakistani nation will be casting its vote to elect a new government on 11 May 2013. These elections are a good omen for the political and democratic culture of Pakistan as it will ensure the continuity of the democratic practices. However, the country is facing increased energy shortage, dismal economic situation, terrorism, sectarianism and ethnic problems. Who would win the elections? Would Imran Khan-led Pakistans Justice Movement (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, PTI) with its popularity among the youth of Pakistan, emerge as the winner or be part of a coalition? How do ethnic communities view the elections?

The panel comprises of specialists on Pakistani politics and foreign policy at the CMSS.

Naeem Salik Brigadier (Retired) is currently a PhD candidate at Centre for Muslim States and Societies/Pol Science and IR Department at UWA, Perth. Before his retirement from Pakistans military, Brigadier Salik served as director of arms control and disarmament affairs in the Strategic Plans Division, the secreta riat of Pakistans National Command Authority.

Rizwan Zeb is a doctoral candidate at the Center for Muslim States and Societies, University of Western Australia, and a Senior Research Analyst at the Institute for Regional Studies, Islamabad, Pakistan. He is a former Benjamin Meaker Visiting Professor in Politics , University of Bristol (2006); Visiting Scholar at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC (2004); and member, International Institute for Strategic Studies, London (current). He is co-author of Indo-Pak Conflicts: Ripe to Resolve? (Manahor, 2005).He is currently working on a book on the history and future of Pakistan.

Dr Samina Yasmeen is director of the Centre for Muslim States and Societies, School of Social and Cultural Studies, at UWA. She is also an associate professor in Political Science and International Relations, the University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth. Before joining the University, she conducted post-doctoral research on US Military relations with Pakistan at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, the Australian National University, Canberra.

COMMUNITY UPDATES
MEN IN GREEN
It is also a pleasure to inform that Men in Green group is the first group to join PIA Inc. Men In Green is the WA based cricket team comprising Pakistani students and migrants. As such Shoaib Khan is now our first Associate member representative. We are now working to find avenues to get a grant to equip the group with necessary equipment and support.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALISHBA TUSIF

Congratulations to Alishba Tusif who is one of the twelve recipients scholarships offered by Fremantle Ports for entry into Gilmore College. of

PTI FUNDRAISER: 21st APRIL

A fundraiser to raise funds for Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf election campaign was held on 21st April at Tropical twist which was attended by a large number of community members. The Master of the Ceremony was Omair Chaudhry. Speakers included Amir Qureshi, Shahid Raza, Saadullah Jaam and Zarrin Siddiqui. Shahid Tirmizi presented verses from his poetic collection.

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COMMUNITY UPDATES
CROSSING THE LINE
WA MULTICULTRAL AWARDS
Last week the group was invited to attend the WA Multicultural awards at the Governor House. Beenish Umer and Rizwan Muhammad attended the event with the Chair and the Secretary. The winner of last year award, Ms. Shahzadi Rukh with her family was also among the guests.

During the second week of April, Anita Barar visited Perth and her movie Crossing the Line was screened in collaboration with SANSKIRITI (Seniors of Indian Origin) and Multicultural Services Centre of Western Australia who were the main sponsors of the event. Sixty two members from both groups attended the screening. Mr. Prem Mathur introduced the director of the movie. . Following the movie a question and answer session allowed the guests to ask questions. Mrs Barar is now in the process of writing a book on the same topic. The documentary was based on the experiences and reflections of a group of Pakistani and Indian migrants who are now living in Sydney. Ms. Fatima Khushnud, the Secretary General of the group thanked the guests in the end.

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PLEASE CIRCULATE TO ALL IN PAKISTAN AND AUSTRALIA

MR. Khan has memory loss and is currently in a hospital. Someone should know. It is requested to all overseas Pakistanis in Australia that anyone who can recognize "Mr. Khan" or have his whereabouts back home Pakistan. Please dont hesitate to contact Sada-eWatan at sadaewatan@gmail.com or Consulate General of Pakistan office Sydney.

INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL 3rd 22nd May 2013 IN MELBOURNE

The Indian Film festival is back in Melbourne and this year will be screening a Pakistani movie JOSH on 11th May at 6.30 pm. The venue is HOYTS Melbourne Central and the festival rating is 18+. Vidya Palan, the famous Bollywood artist will be visiting Melbourne along with other stars. Unfortunately due to lack of funding no Pakistani artist will be able to make it at the screening.

This is a fortnightly newsletter to keep community informed of whats happening in Pakistan and in Australia with a special focus on Western Australia at this time. We acknowledge that this newsletter is disseminated from Noongar land. The earlier issues can be accessed through pakistanisinaustrali.wix.com/piainc or through the group Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/pakistanisinaustralia. Our Youtube channel can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/user/PIAChannel1 . You can also follow our twitter account @PIAInc