JEDDAH, 17 December 2006 — Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) held a function in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the integrity of Pakistan in 1971 war with India that resulted in surrender and creation of Bangladesh.
Mohammad Abdur Rafi who presided over the event said that tragedy of East Pakistan was a national failure due to non-adherence of democratic principle that was the basis of Pakistan’s creation under two-nation theory where Bengalis played very important role.
He said that in 1950 Sir Sultan Agha Khan in a speech in Motamar Alame Islami said that Arabic should be implemented to give Pakistan an Islamic character and maintain both the wings united. He said that denying the rights of stranded Pakistanis to return to Pakistan has no legitimacy.
Pakistan Journalists Forum’s General Secretary Mohamamd Jameel Rathore said that the “fall of Dhaka was the greatest tragedy for us, but ignoring the patriotic Pakistanis for 35 years in miserable conditions is no less of a tragedy.” He urged President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to reactivate Rabita Trust and arrange repatriation and rehabilitation of stranded Pakistanis on PRC’s proposal of a self-finance scheme.
Farhan Siddiqui, general secretary of Muslim Welfare Organization, gave details of pathetic condition of Pakistanis stranded in 66 camps in Bangladesh and appealed to every one to come forward to extend charitable help to alleviate their miseries.
Ehsanul Haque said that it was however unfortunate that we could not maintain united Pakistan and broke in 1971. The patriotic citizens who tried their best to safeguard the solidarity and integrity of country were left in the country to live miserable life, which continues for 35 years. He said that it is high time President Musharraf takes immediate measures to reactivate the Rabita Trust and start the process of repatriation of quarter million stranded Pakistanis.
He said that it is tragic that charitable organizations even forgot them and did not extend any assistance to alleviate their miseries. He praised Majeed Nizami for establishing Nawai Waqt fund for stranded Pakistanis that collected millions of rupees and sent to destitute families.
Hamid Islam Khan conducted the event. Farhan Siddiqui made the recitation from the holy Qur’an. Renowned poets Naseem Sehar, Tahir Jameel, Abdul Qayyum Waseq, Athar Abbasi and Mohsin Alavi paid tributes to those who sacrificed their lives to protect the country from Indian aggression.
Poets also demanded repatriation of stranded Pakistanis.
