PakOz

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

05/06/2026

Some days pass by quietly, while others become treasured memories that stay with us forever. Today was one of those special days.

I had the pleasure of reconnecting with one of my oldest friends in Australia after almost a decade. We met at the screening of LOST LAND at the beautiful State Theatre in Sydney, where we shared warm conversations, coffee, laughter and reflections with the people behind this remarkable film, including director Akio Fujimoto and co-producer Sujauddin Karimuddin.

What makes LOST LAND so extraordinary is that it is the first feature film ever made entirely in the Rohingya language and performed by members of the Rohingya community themselves. More than a film, it is an act of cultural preservation, resilience and hope.

The story follows two young Rohingya siblings, Somira and Shafi, as they journey from a refugee camp in Bangladesh in search of family, safety and a place to call home. Told through the eyes of children, it is both heartbreaking and deeply human.

The film has received international acclaim, including the Best Jury Award at the Venice Film Festival and the Best Film Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival, a testament to both its artistic excellence and its powerful message.

Speaking about the purpose of the project, co-producer Sujauddin Karimuddin shared these powerful words:

"This film is a depiction of living reality. It is not just a story, and it is not simply past stories or history. It is an active effort to preserve the language, the culture, and the narrative of our people."

That statement captures the heart of LOST LAND. It is not merely a film about displacement; it is a voice for a people, a culture and a history that deserve to be seen, heard and remembered.

Some of life's greatest treasures cannot be bought or measured. They are simply moments that leave our hearts fuller than they were before.

Today was one of those moments.

05/06/2026

Pakistan were deserved winners of a terrific ODI series. Congratulations! 🏏🇵🇰🇦🇺

Wonderful to see Australia back in Pakistan and cricket bringing our countries together once again.

And a special nod to Shaheen on an outstanding series. 👏

05/06/2026

A Very Special Moment! 🏆❤️ Honouring a Beloved Community Mother at Himalaya Rockdale

Following on from our incredible wrap-up of the June 1st Eid Milan Family Dinner, the PakOZ and Young Innovators Australia teams are absolutely thrilled to share one of the most touching highlights of the entire night! 🌟✨

As our community gathered at the Himalaya Rockdale Restaurant to welcome the respected mother-in-law of Arshad Naseem Butt (President of the Pakistan Australia Friendship Association), the evening held an extra-special surprise. To mark this beautiful occasion, the Young Innovators Australia and PakOZ teams came together to formally present a special honourary award to Mrs. Lone, Arshad Naseem Butt’s beloved mother-in-law! 🥇🌸

Presenting this award in front of Sydney’s finest elders, writers, and families was a moment of pure joy and deep respect. In our culture, our mothers and elders are our ultimate foundation and inspiration, and being able to honour Mrs. Lone surrounded by so much community love was an absolute privilege. The smile on her face truly lit up the entire room! 🥰

It’s moments like these—where we celebrate family, respect our elders, and welcome loved ones with open arms—that make our community initiatives so deeply rewarding.

👉 Did you catch this beautiful presentation on Monday night? Let’s shower Mrs. Lone with some extra love in the comments below! Drop a message or a ❤️ to welcome her! 👇

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

A Night of Love, Culture, and Community! 🌙✨ PakOZ Covers the Spectacular Eid Milan Family Dinner

The PakOZ team was on the ground to capture the incredible warmth and energy on Monday, June 1st, at the spectacular Eid Milan Family Dinner. Hosted at the beautiful Himalaya Rockdale Restaurant by Arshad Naseem Butt (President of the Pakistan Australia Friendship Association), the special evening pulled double duty, bringing Sydney's vibrant community together to celebrate Eid and give a heartfelt welcome to Arshad’s mother. 🌸❤️

It was an absolute standout event for our community. The venue was packed with Sydney’s finest—respected elders, families, talented poets, writers, and musicians—all sharing in the festive spirit. The night felt less like a formal function and more like a massive family reunion, filled with laughter, deep connection, and outstanding live music that kept the good vibes rolling late into the night. 🎶

A massive takeaway from the evening was the power of unity. Arshad expressed his deep gratitude to his incredible support team, including Syed Shafqat Ali, Naeem Haq, Adeel Shakoor, Shahid Malik, Syed Arif, and Ghazala Shahid, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to pull off such a seamless night. It’s clear that when our community collaborates, we create unforgettable memories.
We are incredibly proud to document these moments of cultural pride and connection right here in Australia. 🤝

👉 Were you there to celebrate with the community at Himalaya Rockdale on June 1st? What was your absolute favourite moment of the night? Drop your photos and thoughts in the comments below! 👇

03/06/2026

What a night! 🍽️✨ Campbelltown Networking at its Finest!

The PAKOZ and Young Innovators Australia teams were out in full force on the ground last night (Tuesday, June 2) to capture all the buzz at the Campbelltown Cooperative Construction and Real Estate Group business networking dinner! And wow, what an absolute ripper of an evening it was! 🙌

The night kicked off with an incredibly warm welcome address by Naeem Haq, setting the perfect vibe before everyone tucked into a fantastic dinner spread. 🍽️🔥

Once everyone was fed, the energy went through the roof with some cracking networking activities and a brilliant icebreaker that got the whole room talking! 💬 We then heard a stellar presentation from Shafqat Ali on how to master a sharp, one-minute introduction using a "Service & Support Based Hook" to generate leads and smash your networking goals. 📈💼

To top it all off, Ahmad Umar blew us away with a beautiful, multicultural performance of the Australian National Anthem.🎶 The evening wrapped up perfectly with sweet desserts, hot Kehwa, and an epic group photo with all the members and teams to lock in the memories! ☕📸

👉 Over to you: Were you there last night? Drop your business elevator pitch or tag someone you had a great yarn with in the comments below! 👇

02/06/2026

The Pak Australia Friendship Association (PAF) proudly hosted a memorable cultural evening on 1 June 2026, bringing together members of Sydney's multicultural community to celebrate the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Australia.
We were privileged to welcome our Guest of Honour, Professor Rahat Munir, a distinguished academic of international repute and recipient of Pakistan's prestigious Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. Professor Munir's presence greatly enriched the event and highlighted the important role of education, leadership, and community service in strengthening international friendships and fostering cultural understanding.
The event was made even more special as it was dedicated in honour of a highly respected family elder and the esteemed mother-in-law of PAF President Mr. Arshad Naseem Butt.. A highlight of the evening was an inspiring literary session featuring distinguished poets Janab Ashraf Shad Sahib, Dr. Shabbir Haider, Tariq Mirza Sahib, Amjad Khan Sahib, and Adeel Shakoor. Through their thought-provoking poetry, they beautifully explored themes of friendship, humanity, cultural identity, and shared aspirations, earning warm appreciation from the audience.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to our distinguished guest speakers and special guests, including Mr. Pervaiz Butter, a renowned legal expert, Mr. Shafaat from ARY, Mr. Fasih Khan, and Mr. Akhtar. Their presence added great prestige to the occasion and reflected the strong community support for initiatives that promote multicultural harmony and cultural exchange.
The audience was equally captivated by outstanding musical performances from Pankaj Ghadia, Anita Ghadia, Asif Khan, Adeel Shakoor, Amit, and Aditi, whose exceptional talents brought energy, colour, and vibrancy to the celebration.
The success of the evening was a reflection of the vision and dedication of Mr. Arshad Naseem Butt, President of the Pak Australia Friendship Association, whose continued efforts have helped strengthen community bonds, promote cultural understanding, and foster lasting friendships across Australia's diverse multicultural society.
On behalf of the Pak Australia Friendship Association, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all guests, performers, poets, community leaders, volunteers, and attendees who joined us in celebrating culture, friendship, and community spirit. Together, we continue to build bridges between communities and strengthen the enduring relationship between Pakistan and Australia for future generations.