Canadians and the Pakistani-Canadian Community joined together to celebrate 70th anniversary of Pakistan's independence and Canada's 150 Anniversary at the Horticulture building Lansdowne Park. Thousands of Canadians visited the venue to join the two days celebrations. Canadian Minister for Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson, Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General Ontario, Parliamentarians, officials, diplomats and a large number of Canadian-Pakistani Community attended the opening ceremony.
In his opening remarks Minister Sohi said that across Canada, he is witnessing Pakistani community progressing and their participation in all fields of life is a welcome sign for the diverse culture in the Country. Ottawa City Mayor Jim Watson also appreciated efforts of the Pakistan High Commission to put up an impressive exhibition, first of its kind in Ottawa.
The High Commissioner in his address thanked the City Government for making this event a great success and hoped that the exhibition of Pakistani products will help enhance our ever increasing trade ties with Canada. Minister Sohi and Mayor Watson visited all the stalls setup in the exhibition and appreciated the skills and artisan of the Pakistani manufacturers.
The main feature of the two days celebrations was to showcase Pakistan's export products including handmade rugs, textiles, leather products, surgical instruments and handicrafts to the Canadians. It provided an opportunity for the Canadians to see the products made in Pakistan and the skills of the Pakistani artisan.
There was huge interest in exhibition of photography titled Pakistan, "A Cradle of Civilization" by photographers; Imran Chaudhry and Bilal Javid, depicting Pakistan's landscape, heritage and culture. There were queues for getting henna prints on the hands by ladies and to taste Pakistani cuisine including biryani, mutton karahi, seekh kabab and ghulab Jamin. Raffles were drawn on both the days for free gift of rugs, leather products, onyx marble, basmati rice and return air ticket to Pakistan.
The celebrations concluded with performances by the local Pakistani singers: Ms. Wania Jibran from Edmonton, "Saroor" musical group from Toronto and Sufi spiritual form of music; the Qawali from Ottawa. They enthralled the audience with Pakistani tunes, both classical and modern. A huge number of Canadians and music lovers enjoyed the musical evening and praised the performances by the local Pakistani singers and musicians.