Concert09

A Report on Jashn E Azadi Concert 2009, Sunday 2nd August

The hard labour of Mr. Khawar Saleem and his team of Pakistan Cultural Association (PCA) bore fruit as more than 300 people were left spell-bounded by an unforgettable performance from one of Pakistan's contemporary artists - Faakhir Mehmood. Jashn-e-Azadi with Faakhir Mehmood was celebrated passionately at the Rydges Hotel in Canberra in a jam-packed hall on 1st August. Such fervour and passion amongst a Canberran audience had not been seen since th is was the first ever visit of any Pakistani popstar to Canberra. This was also Faakhir's first ever trip to Australia.

The Jashn-e-Azadi festival was an enormous success. The chief guest, High Commissioner of Pakistan, His Excellency Jalil Abbas Jilani, commended the organizers' efforts in his opening remarks. Other dignitaries present on the occassion included Deputy High Commissioner Tasawar Khan, Defence Advisor Brig. Babar Virk, Senator Gary Humphries and Mr. Nick Manikis. The newly elected President of PAFA, Mr. Ali Khurram, was also present on the occassion with his new executive team. A number of guests travelled from Sydney and Melbourne to Canberra for this special occassion.

Faakhir Mehmood, arrived on the stage following a fashion show, to a thunderous applause singing the patriotic track 'Ae Jawan'. He sang some of his most memorable hits, including "Dil hara", "Dil ruba" and an item in Pushto. "Dil na lage" was specially dedicated to the expatriate Pakistani community living in Australia. He topped off the golden night with a gold number originally sang by the Late Noor Jehan - "Sub tu sohniye".

The audience enthusiastically danced to every tune and later had the opportunity to have photographs taken with the star.

PCA will soon upload the video of the concert soon, and all members who missed out on the BIGGEST EVER event of canberra will be able to buy that DVD. Watch this place for more info.... or email us at concert@urdu.org.au

few of the comments from audience on our concert page on facebook: (Leave your comments too on http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=95085294719&ref=mf)

Iqbal Haq wrote at 12:00am
WOW it was so much fun, faakhir was very good he made it a great time, i did not think he was going to be so short :p faakhir rocked the house
The hosts were very good and the rapping was amazing, how can i contact the two guys that performed the rap? they wer very very good, it was a good idea to put them ther made it extra fun :D :D :D
best concert ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shafaq Jawed (Australia) wrote at 7:37pm yesterday
We came all the way from Sydney for the concert!! it was fun but just feel cudnt get enough of Fakhir...It wudv been better if the songs sung in between by the kids made a bit of sense..over all it was a great experience and i really appreciate the people who made such an effort!! looking fwd to see more of our paki pop singers in Australia:)

Tariq Abbasi wrote at 12:09am yesterday
It was all fun , rock , good music and good songs of FAKHIR ... an evening to remember in CANBERRA ..

Ibrahim Shaikh (Australia) wrote at 6:54pm on August 2nd, 2009
An awesome event. Hack of a performance by Fakhir .. Pakistani Community had a real blast yesterday.. great work PCA .. you guyz have raised the bars !!

Zeenat Merchant (Australia) wrote at 9:40am on August 2nd, 2009
It was an amazing concert. I had the time of my life.

Umair Yousaf (Australia) wrote at 4:29am on August 2nd, 2009
its was gr8 fun :)

Adnan Bukhari (Australia) wrote at 12:22am on August 2nd, 2009
Best concert ever in Canberra!!! Well Done!!!

Shabeeb Ashfaq (Australia) wrote at 11:55pm on August 1st, 2009
Loved the function :D we should keep having more things like this.

Pictures of the event (94 images)

Click a picture to see a larger view.