JEDDAH, 10 February 2005 – A meeting of the Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) held here over the weekend demanded a speedy end to the plight of Kashmiris and stranded Pakistanis.

Speaking at the symposium on the “Right of Kashmiris — an obligation of the Muslim Ummah,” PRC President Monawar Hashmi said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had declared that Kashmir was a strategic part of Pakistan.

“We must seek the involvement of all international organizations and see that the 1948 UN resolution for the Kashmiris’ self-determination right is implemented.”

Maqboolur Rahman Abbasi also urged the Pakistan government to sincerely organize the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis on priority since they had already suffered a lot in various Bangladesh camps. Azeez Ahmed said that the British betrayed Pakistan by partitioning the subcontinent and allowing India to have access to Kashmir, which led to its occupation.

“On the basis of the two-nation theory Kashmir ought to have been part of Pakistan. Hence we must use all our resources to seek the mandate for Kashmiris.”

Sardar Rahmat Khan said the sacrifices of Kashmiris would not go in vain and soon they would exercise their right and join Pakistan.

Asad Akram wanted Pakistan to seek the help of the United States and the UN to press India to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir.

Mian Mateen Aslam and Mohammad Ashfaque Badauni also urged the Pakistan government to be more aggressive in solving the Kashmir tangle.

PRC Convener Ehsanul Haque urged Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to activate the Rabita Trust and restart the process of Repatriation and rehabilitation of a quarter million stranded Pakistanis.

Renowned poets Mohsin Alavi, Zamurrad Khan Saifi, Aftab Turrabi recited poems praising the struggle of Kashmiris.

Dr. Prof. Monawar Hashmi presided with Sardar Rahmat of the Kashmir Committee as the chief guest. Speakers included Mohammad Riaz Khan, former project engineer of Rabita Trust, Mian Mateen Aslam, chairman of Pakistan National Circle (PNC), Aziz Ahmed, secretary general of Pakistan Engineers Society, Mohammad Jameel Rathore, Shahid Nayeem and Asad Akram, president and secretary general respectively of Pakistan Journalists Forum, Dr. Saad Manzoor Hashmi of Pakistan Doctors Forum, community leaders Mohammad Ashfaque Badauni, Maqboolur Rahman Abbasi and Ahmed Raza, and poets Tahir Jameel, Syed Mohsin Alavi, Zamurrad Khan Saifi, Aftab Turrabi.