JEDDAH, 12 April — The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) organized a function in Al-Hamra Sofitel Hotel recently to celebrate Pakistan Day. The function was presided over by Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, winner of Pakistan’s coveted civil award, Hilal-e-Pakistan.
Dr. Naseef in his speech spoke of the fraternal ties existing between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He stressed that the solution to most of the problems confronting the Ummah lay in adherence to the teachings of Islam.
Referring to Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh, Dr. Naseef said the issue was eclipsed due to the Sept. 11 attacks in the US and subsequent developments.
He said he would discuss this issue with the Muslim World League and other organizations to at least allocate some funds for the stranded people to help mitigate their sufferings. He suggested that a meeting of the Rabita Trust should be convened to look into the issue.
Dr. Shuaib Akbar, vice consul for welfare at the Consulate General of Pakistan, spoke about the Pakistan Resolution which was passed on March 23, 1947. He said that the present government of Gen. Pervez Musharraf was trying to empower people and end corruption.
Ehsanul Haque, the convener of PRC, highlighted the importance of Pakistan Day. He praised President Musharraf’s policies on Kashmir, Afghanistan and his government’s efforts to end corruption, develop non-political civic bodies and bring about reforms. He said that referendum is a legal way of seeking people’s mandate and “we are confident that the nation will side with him in solving the issues of national importance.”
He urged President Musharraf to consider the PRC proposal for the repatriation and rehabilitation of stranded Pakistanis.
Dr. Ghulam Akbar Niazi, chief executive of Al-Islamabad Medical and Dental College and Hamid Islam Hamid also spoke on the occasion.
