JEDDAH, 21 August 2004 — The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) urged Islamabad to make arrangements for providing essential commodities like food and medical care to the stranded Pakistanis through its High Commission in Dhaka.
“The misery of the stranded Pakistanis has increased since the Bangladesh government discontinued the distribution of 3 kg of wheat to each family,” the PRC said in a resolution passed at a function held to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day.
The PRC also demanded the reactivation of Rabita Trust without any delay. “To overcome the deficiency of funds, the government should consider the PRC proposal to repatriate and rehabilitate the stranded people on self-finance basis,” the resolution said.
While the negotiations between India and Pakistan continue, groups representing the Kashmiris should also be involved, it said.
Ehsanul Haque, PRC convener, said thousands of shanties of stranded Pakistanis were washed away during the recent floods adding to their miseries. He said it was the duty of the Pakistan government to take measures to resolve the issues of Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis.
Shabbir Shah, director general of Saudi German Hospital Group’s construction division, presided. Dr. Athar Naqvi, poet and writer, was the chief guest. Azeez Ahmed, secretary-general of the Pakistan Engineers Society, Amir Mohammad Khan, chairman, Pakistan Journalists Forum, also spoke.
