JEDDAH: The Pakistan Journalist Forum (PJF) held a reception to bid farewell to Pakistani Consul General Aftab Ahmed Khokher and Press Consul Sohail Ali Khan, who have completed their terms of office here.

Amir Mohammed Khan, chairman of PJF, thanked the two officials of the consulate for their continuous support to PJF members. “PJF always got comfortable support from the consul general and the press consul. It shows the interest of the present government to go along with media and facilitate journalists with information,” he said.

“It’s not easy to engage journalists from around the world, especially from the Kingdom, and media channels from Pakistan, to work together and share information. Saudi Arabia is a very important station, and still Sohail Ali Khan’s replacement has not been named,” said Amir Khan.

He explained that Sohail Ali Khan bridged the gap between Pakistan media and PJF and focused on the problems faced by the Pakistan community in the Kingdom.

Khokher thanked PJF and all members of the Pakistani community in the Kingdom for their love and support they provided during his stay in the Kingdom.

Khokher said PJF has always played a positive role for media and Saudi-Pakistan relationship. He added that PJF advised him on several issues and together they worked successfully. “The thing I am going to miss most is the Two Holy Mosques,” he said and requested to pray for him and Pakistan whenever someone goes to Haram.

Sohail Ali Khan thanked PJF for the support and said because of the forum’s support it became easy to connect PJF with all print and electronic media of Pakistan.

He said his tenure was comfortable because of full support of Khokher and PJF; the outgoing consul general introduced a lot of positive changes.

Pervaiz Yousef of the Christian community highly appreciated the tenure of Khokher and Sohail Ali Khan.

Masood Puri, president of Kashmir committee, said Khokher worked hard for the committee and put the Kashmir issue and Kashmiris before the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Waleed Al-Shehri, representing the Saudi media, presented shields and souvenirs to the outgoing officials.

PJF Secretary-General Jamil Rathore welcomed the guests and conducted the program.