Friday night, 11th August 2006 bore witness to the most outstanding Independence Day celebration this year. Though a little premature in time, it was planned keeping in mind that 14th August 2006 shall mark the 59 years of freedom enjoyed and cherished by all Pakistani regardless of geographic boundaries.

A group of 14 dedicated members hailing from various professional backgrounds constitute the core working committee of YPES (Young Pakistani Expatriate Society). This society keeping up its annual traditions organized yet again a brilliant show for about 280 people at Sheraton Deira. Most of the guests were members of this society and their families and friends along with the sponsors of the event.

The show officially initiated with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qura'an and with the sounding of our National Anthem. The Chief Guest Mr. Ejaz Ahmed, President, Pakistan Association Dubai, in his opening address to the audience congratulated the Pakistani’s present on this auspicious day and welcomed the YPES into the realms of Pakistan Association. He praised the efforts put in by the committee despite the fact that all of them hold full time jobs. He assured the committee of relentless support and encouragement from the association and its members.

The espousal was further strengthened by the presence of members of the Social and Cultural Committee of Pakistan Association Dubai, Mr. Syed Sabir Hussain, Mr. Abdul Hameed Ghouri, Mr. Muzahir and Mr. Inyat-ur-Rahman. The event was enhanced by the presence of Dubai Times, currently a pioneer in leading Urdu daily in the UAE with a rapidly growing circulation and have other supplements and English daily’s also. Mr. Mohammed Khalid, Marketing Manager Dubai Times imparted continuous support during the planning and the execution phases of the event.

The performances which pursued the speeches were hosted by Babar Mustafa, Secretary General YPES. They included the official presentation of the post-launch portal of the YPES, its mission and objectives by Zainab Makki, Media Manager YPES, and a hilarious skit called “Studio Dha’i” (Studio two and a half) which attained a lot of applause as Mother India and Sir Pakistan were interviewed about their similarities and differences.

Furthermore, it included a heart-rending speech and presentation by Adnan Iqbal, Senior Advisor YPES, on his brain-child campaign “Dobara Awaz Do” which re-kindles the dying fires of humanity towards the earthquake victims of Pakistan. His campaign reawakens the patriotic spirit which seeks to resolve queries as to where the victims are today, 10 months after the disaster hit the region and the media pulled the plug on the “at-first” intense coverage. His endeavor wishes to see the devastated prosper once again.

The missing element of music was not to be forgotten as Atif Javed, lead vocalist Streben (a renowned local band) performed the song “Dobara Awaz Do”. Followed by a round of voucher distribution by Majid Rafiq, Deputy General Secretary YPES and Treasurer, his rapid questions and competitions kept people at the edge of their seats ready to pounce up with an answer. These rounds of voucher distribution dotted the entire span of the event. The numerous vouchers and passes ranged from gold jewelry, couple dinner, dessert safaris, AMG (fashion clothes), up-coming comedy show by Pakistan Association and Dubai Time to Lufthansa airlines discount vouchers and much more.

Shuaib Iqbal Nazir, IT manager YPES distributed the prizes for the competitions held on the forum for various events such as FIFA winners’ predictions, logo design, bait bazi and others. His announcements were received with a pinch of surprise by most of the participants who weren’t expecting vouchers for their participations. Shuaib’s idea was to encourage members to be more active in their participation on the forum and hence strengthen the existing network.  

In trail were rocking performances by local talents such as Jehanzeb Mughal, whose multi-lingual abilities enticed all the provincial descendants of Pakistan. Zeeshan Tahir who brilliantly performed a concoction of all the top patriotic songs made the youngsters dance the traditional “bhangra” and train around the hall with flags waving in the air. Last but not the least was the most outstanding dance performance by the “Pakistani Munda’s” who with their zealous and infectious energy rocked the hall and encouraged most of the audience to join them in the dance. The audience was left chanting “once more”.

Along with Dubai Times, Geo TV and other leading newspapers covering the nights’ proceedings, the performers and the working committee out-shone their abilities.

A vote of thanks to the media and all the core committee members without whose unrelenting efforts this show would not have been this spectacular. Fariha Kausar, Marketing Manager along with our marketing and logistics team of Raees Khan, Fatima Atta, Afifa Sheikh, Ghani Khalil, Basit Khurshid , Wafa Khalid, Tahir Iqbal, Atif Iftikhar and not to forget the Finance man Humza Ghazi .