Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — On the occasion of 88th anniversary of Saudi National Day, Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) held a function at Mehran Restaurant, Azizia. Renowned intellectual, writer and ex-diplomat Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi presided over the event. Amir Mohammad Khan, chairman Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF) was the chief guest.

Other guests were Ali Al-Ghamdi, Syed Naseeruddin, Wasi Imam, Syed Ghazanfar Hassan, Khaled Jawed of Engineers Welfare Forum (EWF) Jeddah. The event started with recitation of verses from Holy Qur’an by Qari Mohammad Asif, and Naat by Khaled Jawed. Zamurrad Khan Saifi presented poems in tribute to Saudi leadership.

Dr. Ali Ghamdi, in his presidential address, thanked PRC for organizing the event and said it is a day not only for Saudis but this is day that all expatriates too celebrate. He said King Faisal marked this day for celebration as National Day. He remembered attending first Saudi National day function held in 1965 in Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi.

He said, Kingdom’s shape came in three stages which was completed by King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, who united all the states of Najd, Asir, Hijaz and other states and declared it the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. His enforcement of Islamic law made this country of peace, harmony and humanity, which also gained credibility in the world.

He praised Custodian of Two Holy Mosque King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, while lauding Vision 2030, which will take the Kingdom to new heights.

He drew the attention of new Prime Minister Imran Khan to the plight of quarter million patriotic Pakistanis languishing in Bangladeshi camps since 1971. He hoped that he would take urgent measures to solve the issue on priority basis. He said that Islam teaches rulers to give special care to poor and down trodden people of society and stranded Pakistanis fall in that category who are ignored for 47 years.

Chief uest Amir Mohammad Khan said it is our national obligation to celebrate Saudi National Day since this country has always helped Pakistan and Pakistanis working in this country. “We are blessed due to our stay here.”

He urged the prime minister to solve the issue of stranded Pakistanis. He said some stranded Pakistanis were repatriated during tenure of Bhutto in 1974 and Nawaz Sharif in 1993; however no further steps were taken for the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis.

Mohammad Amil Usmani, guest of honor, praised PRC for organizing all events related to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He said he has been in Saudi Arabia for over 45 years and seen the mammoth development for Harmain Sharifain and infrastructure in this country under all the rulers. He also urged Imran Khan to organize the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis urgently.

PTI leader Farrukh Rasheed praised PRC for organizing the event on Saudi National Day. He promised that he would bring to attention of Prime Minister Imran Khan the issue of repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh. He said Imran Khan is determined to solve issues faced to Pakistan and make it a strong nation.

Riaz Bukhari, president of PNSF, praised King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad for their Vision 2030 for Saudi Arabia. He urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to arrange repatriation of stranded Pakistanis.

Raja Mohammad Zareen Khan said that Saudi Arabia has played very important role in supporting the Kashmiri cause and therefore people of Kashmir are always thankful to the Kingdom.

Ahmed Bashir of PTI also promised Imran Khan’s vision for Pakistan and expected that issue of stranded Pakistanis would be brought to his attention soon.

Tayyab Mosani urged the government to arrange urgently the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. Shaikh Mohammad Luqman said he spent about half century in this country and considers it as home. He also demanded the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis.

Khurshid Ahmed Matyal of Kashmir Committee also praised Saudi Arabia’s role in solving issue of Kashmir. Hamid Islam Khan, deputy convener revived PRC’s mission that “Pakistan would not be complete without joining of Kashmiris and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh.”

Convener Syed Ehsanul Haque thanked all guests on attending the event and presented following resolutions for approval by the audience:

n We urge prime minister Imran Khan to create “Pak Saudi Strategic Commission” to enhance the bilateral relationship

n We urge prime minster to arrange repatriation and rehabilitation of Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh. To overcome the paucity of fund, implement PRC proposal of “settlement of stranded Pakistanis on self finance basis“.

n We urge prime minister to create permanent committee for Kashmir which should be part of Foreign Ministry to urge India to organize plebiscite in Kashmir according to the will of people.

n We urge OIC to take urgent measures to pressurize Myanmar rulers to stop genocide of Rohingiya Muslims and to give them basic rights of citizenship.