I have read your message from the CPA with considerable interest asking for information on the previous executives. Perhaps, it could be of some interest to you as to how and when the Canada-Pakistan was created in the Ottawa region.
As a student in Ottawa and particularly after the 1971 disintegration of Pakistan, I felt the need of urgent initiatives to envisage a community-based organization to make our presence known in the federal capital and to enhance our common interests for social- cultural aspirations in this region. There were hardly few hundred known people inc some students of Pakistani origin residing in Ottawa.
However, in early 1972, I communicated to some fellow Pakistanis, and a weekend meeting was held at Caleton University- Loeb Bldg ( probabaly April- May 1972) with approximately 12-15 participants. I chaired the gathering and it was unanimously decided to create a new association called Canada-Pakistan Asssociation. Mr. Ashraf ( lecturer at Ottawa U) was chosen as the first President and I was chosen as the Secretary and one Mr Bhatti as treasurer as I recall. We made public announcements in the local news media and informed others interested inlcuding the Pakistan Embassy.
There were hardly any resources to pursue any large scale cultural activities except one – an Indepedence Day of Pakistan celebration in 1973 with refreshments and exhibition of a Pakistani feature movie- for the first time in Ottawa. In late 1973, we arranged a meeting at Ottawa U and invited fellow Pakistanis to hold the next elections. Approximately, 15 or so, people showed up and I recall transferring the written record to the next elected executive body. There was no money and nothing else. Whatever few of us did was entriely out of our individual initiatives and contributions for the good of fellow Pakistanis living in Ottawa.
In my individual capacity, I used to produce a weekend local cable-Radio program “Awaz-e-Pakistan”, as my contribution to the Pakistani community. The program continued on air for almost eight years until I moved out to the US to complete my graduate studies.
I hope that the above information could be of some interest and reference point to all of you.