Dr. Anwar
Nasim’s active involvement in community development can be traced back
to 1963 when he was a student at the University of Edinburgh, U.K.
During his stay in Britain, he held various offices amongst the
student organizations.
Some
of them are as follows:
1963-1964 President of Pakistan Student Association
University of Edinburgh
1964-1965 President of the Overseas Pakistanis Committee
1965-1966 Social Convener of Pakistan Student Association
University of Edinburgh
Dr. Anwar
Nasim moved to Canada in October 1966, after completing his studies
and taking an active part in the community development in U.K., and
settled in Ontario, Presently, he is living in Pakistan. He lived in
Canada for twenty three years from 1966-1989. He also lived in Saudi
Arabia for four years from 1989-1993.
His
natural urge and desire to work of the welfare and projection of the
community did not let him sit idle even in Canada and Saudi Arabia,
but his activities were further increased, locally and nationally not
only for Pakistani Canadians but also many other ethnic organizations
in Canada and Saudi Arabia. Some of the Offices he held were:
1976-1977 Chairman of Social Cultural and Committee of
Canada Pakistan Association of Ottawa-Hull.
1977-178 Elected as president of Canada Pakistan
Association of Ottawa-Hull.
1980-1981 Elected as Vice President of the Canada Pakistan
Association of Ottawa-Hull.
Dr. Anwar
Nasim was involved in the National Ethnic scene of the Canadian
Ethnocultural Council since 1979. He has been active in the
Immigration Committee, twice as Chairman, and attended
conferences and meetings on issues related to visible minorities.
Prior to
1977, there were several associations of Pakistani Canadians in
different cities in Canada without any co-ordination amongst them and
without any measure of recognition at the national level. During this
period, Dr. Anwar Nasim, as a member of an Ad Hoc Committee, stressed
the need for unity of all Pakistani Canadians under a National
Organization.
1981 Later in 1981 the Canada Pakistan Association of
Ottawa-Hull established a Committee to form a National Organization of
Canadians of Pakistani origin with Anwar Nasim as Chairman.
1982-1984 After months of hard work and many meetings across
the country a Founding conference was held in Ottawa on September 5,
1982. The National Federation of Pakistani Canadians was formed
and Anwar Nasim was elected as the first and founding President
of NFPC.
1984-1986 Dr. Anwar Nasim was re-elected President of NFPC for
another term.
Dr. Anwar
Nasim played a key role in developing the national Federation of
Pakistani Canadians and organized five national conferences in four
years to address the needs and concerns of Pakistani Canadians across
the country. As President from 1982-1986, he worked diligently with
the National Federation to establish itself as the recognized national
voice for the Pakistani Canadians.
The
motivating force in Anwar Nasim’s community participation has been to
promote a positive image of Pakistani Canadians and to facilitate a
balance between heritage retention and cultural integration. During
this period, he also served on various committees of the Ethnocultural
Council dealing with problems of immigration.
COMMUNITY AWARDS/HONOURS:
1.
National Federation of Pakistani Canadians (NFPC), presented a plaque
to Dr. Anwar Nasim in October 1986 in recognition of his outstanding
services as President of the NFPC from 1982-1986.
2.
In August 1988, NFPC Youth Conference presented a plaque in
appreciation of his dedication towards the Pakistani Youth.
3.
In October 1988, Pakistan Canadian Association, Calgary, Alberta
presented to Dr. Anwar Nasim an award
For
Distinguished Services and Outstanding Contribution to the National
Federation of Pakistani Canadians and Pakistani Community in Canada.
4.
October 1992 - Awarded a shield by the National Federation of
Pakistani Canadians for
Outstanding
Volunteer Contribution to the Pakistani community and Community at
Large on the occasion of the Tenth Inspection Year of NFPC.
5.
January 1993 - Awarded a shield by Centre for Molecular Genetics
University of Karachi, Pakistan in recognition of his services for
Introducing
and Promoting Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Pakistan.
6.
August 1995 - Overseas Pakistanis Institute (OPI) award for
outstanding services for promotion of science in Pakistan.
7.
August 1995 - Civil Award
Pride
of Performance in Molecular Genetics.
8.
August 1999 – Civil Award “Sitara-e-Imtiaz” in Molecular
Genetics.
