Pakistani Australian Association of South Australia

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:06): I move:

That this council—

1. Congratulates the Pakistani Australian Association of South Australia (PAASA) for reaching the special milestone of their 40^th anniversary in 2024;

2. Recognises that PAASA is a pioneering organisation established in South Australia by volunteers to support migrants and international students from Pakistan;

3. Acknowledges the important work of founding members, current and past presidents, committee members and volunteers of PAASA for their hard work, dedication and contributions in delivering 40 years of outstanding community services including information workshops, cultural events, sports and recreational programs for the Pakistani community in South Australia; and

4. Reflects on the many achievements of PAASA over four decades and its important contributions to multicultural South Australia.

It is with great pleasure that I rise today to express my congratulations to the Pakistani Australian Association of South Australia, formally known as PAASA, as they celebrate their 40^th anniversary this year. Pakistan is today the world's fifth most populous country with a population of more than 240 million people. Australia enjoys long and growing ties with Pakistan, underpinned by deepening people-to-people links.

Diplomatic relations were established after Pakistan's independence in 1947. Australia has maintained a resident mission in Pakistan since 1948. Australia and Pakistan enjoy a common heritage and shared interests. There are approximately 100,000 members of the Pakistani community in Australia. They are actively contributing to enrich Australia through academia, cultural exchange, commerce and sports, particularly a shared love for cricket.

Knowing the history and significance of bilateral relations between Australia and Pakistan, PAASA was established as a not-for-profit community organisation to represent the Pakistani community in South Australia, and provides a platform for the opportunities for community members to celebrate their social and cultural values and, at the same time, to recognise that PAASA is a pioneering organisation established in SA by volunteers to support migrants and international students from Pakistan. It is a huge accomplishment for any organisation to still be going strong after 40 years, and PAASA has been doing so by providing necessary service and support to the Pakistani community over the past four decades.

Today, I want to take this opportunity to commend the organisation by acknowledging the current management committee. PAASA is led by Chairperson Abdullah Memon, with Vice-Chairperson Kashif Ashraf and Secretary Nomia Khadim. Abdullah and the committee have been doing a wonderful job, continuing the work of past PAASA committees, and I look forward to seeing what the committee will be will be planning later on for their 40^th anniversary celebration in November.

I also had the great pleasure of hosting PAASA committee members in Parliament House recently, alongside other multicultural and community groups, to recognise and celebrate their incredible milestone achievement. In addition to the current committee, PAASA have also had many other individuals who have greatly contributed to the community, both as committee members as well as volunteers and community leaders. These include Khalid Farooqi, Yasmeen Kajani, Masood and Samra Choudhry, Naeema Noori, Siraj ul Haq, Naseem Khokhar, Adeel Sadiq, Kaleemullah, Munsha Tatla, Shahyan Shabbir, Furqan Baig and Umar Memon, who is the immediate past president of PAASA.

I would like to make special mention of Mr Khalid Farooqi, who was the 2023 Governor's Multicultural Awards highly commended finalist in the category of senior volunteer award. Mr Khalid Farooqi in 2014 actually received the volunteer sector award of the Governor's Multicultural Awards for his tireless work in helping new migrants settle into life in Australia.

This special group of individuals have played significant roles in PAASA's work, helping the organisation remain a vibrant and integral part of our South Australian multicultural community. The stories of PAASA's contributions in South Australia began when it was established in 1984, thanks to the pioneering efforts of its founding members and early community leaders, namely Dr Ashfaque Ahmad, Mr Abdul Farooque, the late Shamim Noori and the late Dr Abdul Majeed Kajani.

Those members who are regional members may be aware that the late Dr Abdul Majeed Kajani was a prominent regional doctor based in Port Pirie, and he was one of the first Pakistani migrants to settle in South Australia. He was a well-respected GP, and definitely well-loved by the Port Pirie community. He had dedicated more than four decades to caring for his community. He will always be remembered as a titan of SA's Pakistani and medical communities. Deep condolences to his wife, Yasmeen, and his family.

These visionary individuals I mentioned played pivotal roles in establishing PAASA as a platform for Pakistani migrants and international students in South Australia, fostering unity and cultural engagement within the community. In particular, Dr Ashfaque Ahmad, who arrived in Australia in the 1960s, was instrumental in the establishment of the early Pakistani Association, which evolved into what we know now as PAASA.

Mr Shamim Noori would act as PAASA's first chairperson, and under his leadership the association expanded its reach, organising cultural events and community support programs to assist new migrants in their transition to life in Australia. From this foundation, PAASA now delivers a multitude of services to the Pakistani community, centred around its mission to promote Pakistani culture and values within an integrated and connected Australian community.

PAASA focus their services to accomplish their strategic objectives. From their core mission and list of strategic objectives, PAASA provide a series of services that fill the missing gap from government and other service providers to ensure that the Pakistani community have the necessary supports to thrive in our state.

This includes support for new migrants, such as job readiness training, and programs to help them understand the Australian culture; overcoming linguistic barriers, social and cultural differences; and addressing employment issues, which are some common problems faced by new migrants. PAASA focuses their support towards helping migrants to find jobs, and also provide other community services, such as the use of their 12-seater van, which is used for transportation of the newly arrived families, and can also be hired out by community members to assist elderly or socially isolated members to transport them to where they need to go.

PAASA was able to purchase the van thanks to the support they received through the 2019-20 Stronger Together Multicultural Grant, which was introduced and delivered by the Marshall Liberal government. Pakistani culture, much like Australian culture, is deeply tied to sports. PAASA recognised the connection between sports and cultural integration and have partnered with the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) and the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) to help deliver cricket and footy camps for Pakistani youth.

PAASA participated in the Woolworths cricket blast camp, where young kids can learn and play the game of cricket at different levels. PAASA also holds a similar footy camp with the SANFL to give young girls and boys a chance to learn the game and register their local clubs. Additionally, PAASA also run their own intracommunity tape ball cricket tournament, a variation of cricket that is popular in Pakistan, each year, with up to 15 teams now participating in the competition.

On the topic of sports and cricket, I acknowledge Irfan Hashmi and Sobia Hashmi, the Australian Pavilion directors, probably better known for their entrepreneurship in Terry White Chemmart, for their ongoing support to PAASA and their passion for cricket and organising many meet and greet events, including the recent visit by the renowned cricket legend Younis Khan at Adelaide Oval.

Of course, PAASA is also well known for their many cultural events. Throughout the year, as the longest continuous member in the portfolio of multicultural affairs in South Australia, I have had the pleasure to attend many of the events over the years and experience the great hospitality and vibrant culture of the Pakistani community. Among the many events I look forward to attending each year, such as their eat celebration and Pakistan Independence Day festivities is their celebration each year on Australia Day. PAASA always has a strong focus on Australia Day, recognising not only their own cultural celebrations but also celebrating the integration of their community with the wider multicultural community of South Australia.

As part of their Australia Day celebrations PAASA has for many years now participated in the Australia Day parade held by the Australia Day Council of South Australia each year. I also recognise the efforts of PAASA in recent years to strengthen the relationship with other cultural groups, collaborating on events that promote diversity, inclusion and intercultural understanding. The association has successfully organised workshops, recreation activities and programs for youth, families and international students, all of which have further enhanced the integration of the Pakistani community within South Australia.

Once again, I thank PAASA on achieving a magnificent milestone. It is great to have the opportunity to speak about their work and their passion. Well done on a successful 40 years of community service and here's hoping to another 40 years and beyond. With those words, I wholeheartedly commend the motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.