By Syed Mussarat Khalil
JEDDAH — The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) Convener Syed Ehsanul Haque urged Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to create a Pak-Saudi Strategic Commission to enhance the bilateral relationship during his speech at the event marking the 86th anniversary of National day of Saudi Arabia.
The panel would jointly fight terrorism; improve the quality and magnitude of Manpower, Trade, KSA’s Food need, Education, Training, Investment in Construction and industrial ventures, Power & Water Projects, Tourism, Media, Cultural, and Religious sectors, according to Haque.
But prior to his speech, Chief Guest Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, renowned intellectual, writer and ex-diplomat, said that Saudi national day is not only day of pride for Saudis only but also for over ten million expatriates living in the Kingdom.
He remembered, during his presidential address, attending first Saudi National Day function held in 1965 in Beach Luxury hotel, Karachi while in that time it was not celebrated in KSA.
He recalled major achievement of the founder King Abdul Aziz, who united all the states of Najd, Asir, Hijaz and other states to make it the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. His implementation of Islamic law made this country of peace; harmony and humanity, which also gained credibility in the world.
He said that all the rulers followed the basic principles laid down by King Abdul Aziz and facilitated to citizens and residents with continuous improvement in Haramain and Haj sites, educational, health care, housing and other needs.
He praised Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman for handling very well the Yemen and other crisis. He also praised the Vision 2030, which will take the Kingdom to new heights.
He said Pakistanis were the first immigrants in early 60s to Saudi Arabia and they contributed a lot to the development of basic infrastructure of Saudi Arabia. In those days life was tough due to non-availability of many facilities across the Kingdom. He said Pak-Saudi relationship is exemplary and based on mutual trust and common goals.
He said his speech would not be complete until he talks about the plight of patriotic Pakistanis languishing in Bangladeshi camps since 1971. He hoped that Nawaz Sharif will take 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 45 years.
Other guests and speakers included Mahmood Akhter executive member and magazine editor of Engineers Welfare Forum (EWF), Shahid Naeem, president, and Mohammad Jamil Rathore, general secretary of Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF), Mohammad Ali Al-Ghamdi, Shamsuddin Altaf, Mohammad Amanatullah, Mohammad Akram Agha, Prof. Mohammad Akram; Syed Naseeruddin, Khaled Jawed.
Akhter paid rich tribute to King Abdul Aziz and considered him the greatest Muslim thinker and leader of last century who changed the face of this country in positive direction.
Mohammad Ali Ghamdi thanked PRC for organizing the event marking Saudi National Day. He praised the role of Pakistanis in the infrastructure and other aspects of this country and prayed that Saudi Pak relationship will continue forever.
Hamid Islam Khan, deputy convener said that we consider that Saudi Arabia is also our home and it is our duty to dedicate ourselves for this country. He revived PRC’s mission that “Pakistan will not be complete without joining of Kashmiris and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh.”
Shamsuddin Altaf started speech in Arabic and praised King Abdul Aziz for uniting all tribes to create the Kingdom.
Mohammad Amanatullah praised King Abdul Aziz for establishment of Kingdom and implementing Islamic ruling under the guidance of renowned religious scholar Mohammad Bin Abdul Wahab, which brought stability and peace in this country.
Prof. Mohammad Akram and Akram Agha praised King Abdul Aziz as great leader for uniting and implementing Islamic code in Saudi Arabia.
Convener Haque thanked Dr. Al-Ghamdi, speakers, journalists, poets and members for participating in event. He praised the senate for creating special committee for seeking solution for repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh.
He praised speech of Nawaz Sharif in UNO in which he strongly advocated rights of Kashmiris plebiscite. He further said we urge prime minister to reactivate the Rabita Trust or give mandate to committee created under senators Sartaj Aziz in arranging repatriation and rehabilitation of Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh to overcome the paucity of fund to implement PRC proposal of “settlement of stranded Pakistanis on self finance basis”.
Bangladesh should be included in the committee to play its role in solving the issue. Until repatriation is done, Pakistani High Commission at Dhaka should ensure safety and security, provision of food, educational, medical and basic need for Pakistanis stranded in camps.
Supplication was made by Shamsuddin Altaf for the solidarity; integrity and prosperity of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He also prayed for Allah’s forgiveness and place in Jannah for the father of Dr. Khalil ur Rahman, who passed away last week. He prayed for full recovery of Aziz Ahmed, who is seriously sick.
Event was started by recitation of verses from Holy Qur’an by Qari Mohammad Qasim, Naat was rendered by Sher Afzal. Poets Zamurrad Saifi and Mohsin Alavi presented poems in tribute to Saudi leadership.
