“If in these 10 days you get the chance to sit in itikaf then that is a great blessing from Allah. I couldn’t get time to fulfill my desire to sit in itikaf because of my duties, but inshaAllah if I get a chance to come for Umrah with the blessings of Allah, I will fulfill my wish,” said Watoo.

Efficiently serving the community is a gift from Almighty Allah, said members of the Pakistani Journalists Forum (PJF) during a farewell party organized by the forum’s members at a local restaurant.

PJF also gave an appreciation shield to Watoo in acknowledgement of his efforts to solve the Pakistani community’s problems and for his welfare work. “Nusrullah Watoo did much for the benefit of the community and has helped people by going beyond his call of duty. He can continue with the projects he has started, as he understands community problems. He is a very hard working, cooperative and humble officer, and we wish him all the best for future,” said a spokesman for the PJF.

Watoo was full of praise for the Pakistani community in the Kingdom. He said the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia, especially in Jeddah, is very active and vibrant. “They are very cooperative and helpful,” he said.

“I want to tell the Pakistani community that it’s important to be a good national and human, so it’s their duty to follow Saudi laws and respect Saudi tradition and culture,” he added.

As welfare consul, Watoo was considered successful. He explained his job was difficult because there is a large community of Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia and he was responsible for welfare and labor matters as well as community issues.

“The issues of the community was a very busy assignment but I tried my level best to fulfill all the requirements of my duty. My team and I tried our best to provide consummate services. We did work round the clock with almost all the departments, so I must say that my experience over here was quite vast and challenging,” he said.

“It was a proud moment to find out that the Saudi higher authorities and senior officers and different ministers really respect the Pakistani community and care about their issues. We have a brotherly relationship with them, and it was quite a nice experience.”

He recalled an achievement that he and his team worked hard for.

“Sending back a Pakistani prisoner who was in jail for the 16 years was a memorable moment for me. I worked hard for two years to secure his release, contacting Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and other high authorities. When he went back home after our hard work, it was a great moment. Another memorable case was when we worked hard on a similar case in Asir, where we collected and paid blood money for a Pakistani national and sent him back home,” he said.

He added it was an advantage for him to go to Makkah and Madinah even for office work and to serve the community, while taking the chance to offer prayers there.

He liked Saudi Arabia’s peaceful environment and security, he said, adding that families could enjoy their time together without any fear even late at night.

Calling Jeddah a “mini Pakistan,” Watoo recalled his visits to the holy cities, Taraweeh prayers, iftar parties and the Pakistani community’s gatherings. New Pakistani Welfare Consul Dr. Mazhari-ul-Haq Kakakhel took charge on May 3.