JEDDAH, 20 June 2007 — Pakistan’s Consul General Masood Akhtar lauded the role of the media and thanked journalists for their support and encouragement that he said helped him in his work.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Pakistan Journalists Forum on Monday night, the outgoing consul general said that throughout his stay in Jeddah he tried to be the people’s consul general and made himself available to them 24 hours a day. Akhtar, who will soon take up his new assignment as consul general in China’s Sichuan Province, said he tried to help members of the Pakistani community in all possible ways.
Akhtar has been instrumental in bringing Indian and Pakistani expats in the Kingdom closer and the presence of a large number of journalists from Pakistan, India and the Kingdom at his farewell reception spoke volumes of his close relationship with newsmen and members of other nationalities.
The program started with a welcome address by PJF President Shahid Nayeem and conducted by Jamil Rathore, general secretary of the forum.
Rathore said Akhtar was accessible to everybody throughout his stay here.
Amir Muhammed Khan, the chairman of the forum, in his presidential address thanked Akhtar for his contributions to the community’s welfare and development in Jeddah. PJF gave a memento to Akhtar in recognition of his services. Popular Pakistani TV anchor Aneeq Ahmad handed over the memento to the consul general.