Pakistan’s Independence Day is observed on August 14 every year.
In 1947, the Muslims of the subcontinent obtained their separate independent country where they could live their lives in accordance with their own religion and culture.
Father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah addressed the Punjab Muslim Students Federation on October 31, 1947, saying, “You are the nation builders of tomorrow and you must equip yourself with discipline, education and training for the arduous task lying ahead of you.”
In another speech at University of Dhaka on March 24, 1948, he stressed that “there is no shame in doing manual work and labour.”
Pakistanis, whether living in the country or abroad, are always proud of their social and cultural values and inheritance.
In keeping with this spirit, Al Saqafa – The Pakistan Association was founded in 1993 by a group of prominent Pakistanis, led by Mohamed Afdhal Najeeb, who felt that the community needed its own welfare organisation and socio-cultural forum.
The group integrated prominent community personalities including Dr Abdul Qahir, Noor Pathan, Imtiaz Pervez, Syed Wahajuddin Ahmed, S M Iqbal, Shakeel Anwar, Dr Haroon Memon and many others.
Being a small but active forum, Al Saqafa has held literary nights, BBQ nights for members’ families, charity programmes, educational symposiums and sponsored scholarships for needy students.
A significant part of the surplus from its programmes are donated to local charities and some are retained for financing future events.
Since its formation, Al Saqafa has had the honour of inviting a number of Urdu literary figures from Pakistan and India and is well known today for organising highly-entertaining social and cultural events.
Within 30 years, the association has secured a prestigious place amongst the local social and cultural clubs by successfully presenting a number of literary symposiums and light-and classical musical programmes.
“We have always strived to portray the best of our community, lift them up and remain shoulder to shoulder with them,” Al Saqafa chairman Syed Altaf Azim said.
“I want the Pakistani community to stand out and be ‘the best’ and this is only possible with your relentless support and selfless commitment,” he added.
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