JEDDAH: The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) has called on the new Pakistani president, Asif Ali Zardari, to resolve the issue of the Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh by bringing them back to their home country. In a resolution adopted at the meeting, the PRC condemned the blast at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel and said it showed loopholes in our security system.
The PRC urged the Pakistan government to assign its envoy in Bangladesh to look after the stranded people until they are repatriated. It asked the international community to press India to hold plebiscite in Kashmir.
Speakers also highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia at the function held here to mark the Kingdom’s anniversary.
Tariq Al-Maeena, a renowned Saudi columnist who presided over the function, spoke about the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He said the two countries had identical views on international issues and both had a common approach for the resolution of Palestine and Kashmir problems.
He said Pakistan’s support to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War would always be admired and remembered. He said Pakistanis have enormously contributed toward the development of the Kingdom.
Al-Maeena urged the new Pakistani government to take serious measures to tackle terrorism and extremism that is tarnishing the image of the country. He said the issue of stranded Pakistanis deserved proper attention.
Pakistani-born Saudi journalist Sameera Aziz, in her message, hoped that the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis would begin soon. Another speaker Ghulam Nabi Butt spoke about the excellent Saudi-Pak ties. He said the new Pakistani government should take steps for the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. Riaz Bukhari said the new government should be given time to tackle the country’s problems and Zardari should be judged by his performance rather than past allegations which have never been proved in any court. He said Islamabad admired its friendship with Saudi Arabia, which has always proved to be a true friend. PRC convener praised the Kingdom’s role in trying to resolve issues facing the Ummah, be it in Palestine, Bosnia, Kashmir or anywhere else. He urged political parties in Pakistan to include the issue of stranded Pakistanis in their manifestos and also asked charitableorganizations like Edhi Trust to help the stranded people languishing in Bangladesh camps. Other speakers — Ateequr Rahman and Hamid Islam Khan — also spoke about Saudi-Pak relations. The program was conducted by Syed Musarrat Khalil.