http://www.dawn.com/2004/10/15/int11.htm
Dawn
15 October 2004 Friday - 29 Shaban 1425
By Our Correspondent

Canadians pledge $5.2m to Aga Khan University

TORONTO, Oct 14: A group of 260 Canadian professionals will contribute 5.2 million dollars to establish a Performing Arts Centre at the Aga Khan University in Karachi.

The group comprising doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, architects and other professionals announced their pledge at a well-attended dinner organized here on Wednesday by the Aga Khan University Resource Development Committee for Ontario, Canada.

Toronto's noted cardiologist and spokesman for the group Dr Amir Janmohamed told newsmen after the dinner that the Arts Centre project was a gift from Canadian professionals who see value in building cultural and academic bridges with the developing world. "I think, it will also be a small step to fostering world peace and understanding," he said.

Earlier, in a keynote address, President of the Aga Khan university Shamsh Kassim-Lakha said that since its inception the university had benefited greatly form its close ties with Canadians and Canadian institutions which provided financial assistance of $22 million in the past few years.