Umair Ahad grew up in Swat Valley, Pakistan, a region marked by religious extremism and instability, but he has since dedicated his life to building inclusive communities through his non-profit organization, Pamir Canadian Multiculturalism Council, creating opportunities for people in Calgary.
It was in 2023 when Umair Ahad moved to Calgary from his hometown, Swat Valley, in northern Pakistan.
Ahad moved to Canada seeking safety and the opportunity to continue his community work in a more democratic and inclusive environment.
“I have been given opportunities here in Canada that were not possible to me back home in Pakistan, as the extremism limited my ability to be a voice for others,” Ahad explains.
Ahad emphasizes the natural beauty of the Swat Valley while also recognizing that his social advocacy would not have been possible had he stayed in a region marked by radicalism and periods of geopolitical instability.
From Pakistan to Calgary
“From an early age, I held progressive values and strongly supported women’s rights, girls’ education, equality and inclusive governance,” Ahad says.
“In my region of northern Pakistan, advocating for these values often came with personal risks due to religious extremism and ongoing security challenges.”
Since arriving in Canada in 2022, Ahad has continued his commitment towards community development, anti-racism, newcomer support and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“My lived experience has deeply shaped my dedication to equity, open dialogue and building inclusive communities both locally and globally,” Ahad says.
Ahad witnessed firsthand how a lack of opportunities, inequality and exclusion can impact communities. This inspired him to work towards positive social change.
“For me, advocacy is not only about speaking on behalf of others, more importantly, it is about creating platforms where people can speak for themselves,” he says.
Ahad founded his non-profit organization, the Pamir Canadian Multiculturalism Council (PCMC), to create a supportive platform where diverse communities can feel welcome, empowered, and connected.
One of PCMC’s volunteers, Nisar Ahmad, first met Ahad back in 2023 through a mutual friend. They connected over their shared interests, as Ahmad was also working in the non-profit sector at the time.
“One project I remember working on was to support senior citizens in the community. I wrote a proposal, and Ahad facilitated programs for seniors based on the funds secured through the proposal I wrote,” Ahmad explains.
Practical solutions
PCMC’s work includes practical solutions to ongoing challenges faced by refugees and newcomers to Canada, with a focus on programs that reduce isolation, support newcomer integration, and offer anti-racism workshops.
What began as a small community effort has grown into a structured non-profit organization with various programs for refugees, youth, seniors and newcomers to Calgary.
“We hope that through these programs, we can reduce isolation, promote belonging and empower individuals to actively participate in Canadian society,” Ahad explains.
The ultimate goal of PCMC is to create a space here in Calgary where diverse communities feel valued, heard, and supported in reaching their full potential.
Over the next five years, Ahad’s goal for PCMC is to strengthen its sustainability, governance and long-term impact. He hopes to deepen collaboration with more community associations, Indigenous partnerships and public institutions.
Community connection
One of PCMC’s partnerships, facilitated through Ahad’s connection with the Genesis Centre, is Planet Youth, a community-focused youth initiative led by United Way of Calgary that works with local partners to support youth in Calgary.
Shelina Bata from Planet Youth has been working with Ahad since 2022, where together they have collaborated on various community initiatives.
“Umair is highly trustworthy, dependable and supportive with an ability to bring people together and build meaningful partnerships that have been a valuable asset to our community work,” says Bata.
“What stands out about Umair is his willingness to support others – when approached for help or collaboration, his answer is almost always yes,” she says.
It is important for Ahad to continue expanding PCMC’s partnerships to better support Calgarians.
“Community work is not the responsibility of one organization, or of one individual. It is a shared effort and responsibility,” Ahad says.
For Ahad, the most meaningful aspect of his work has been witnessing its impact on community members, especially racially marginalized individuals in Calgary’s northeast community.
“If there is one message I would like to leave, it is that diversity is not something to manage – it is something to celebrate and invest in,” says Ahad. “When we create space for different voices, experiences and perspectives, we strengthen our democracy and our collective future.”