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.