‘Mahmud Ali Backed Biharis’ Repatriation’

JEDDAH, 26 November 2006 — The Pakistan Repatriation Council at a meeting here paid rich tribute to late Mahmud Ali, a former Cabinet minister and a Pakistan movement leader, who had been staunchly advocating the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh.

Mahmud Ali died in Lahore last week.

Speakers, who included Mohammad Rafi, Shahid Nayeem, Jamil Rathore and others said Mahmud Ali was among a few leaders who supported the repatriation of the stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh.

Mahmud Ali had once told President Zia-ul-Haq, “If Pakistan can’t take back stranded Pakistanis then arrange to return East Pakistan to them, where they had migrated in 1947 from India.”

Naseem Sehar, PRC general secretary, said Mahmud Ali supported the PRC efforts and presided over a function held in Islamabad on July 3, 2004 when the HISAR magazine was launched.

PRC convener Ehsanul Haque said that when Mahmud Ali came to Saudi Arabia on Sept. 22, 2002, he had a meeting with a PRC delegation.

Since then he had been a staunch supporter of the stranded Pakistanis’ repatriation.

Mohammad Rafi said Mahmud Ali’s patriotism was an exemplary one and should be recognized.