Pakistanis join Saudis in celebration

The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) held a function in Jeddah to celebrate the 82nd National day of Saudi Arabia. Renowned scholar Ali Al-Ghamdi was the chief guest.
The meeting commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's role in forging Muslim unity and praised his policies for the progress and prosperity of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting adopted a number of resolutions urging the government of Pakistan to restart the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis who were left behind in Bangladesh after Pakistan lost its eastern wing in the 1971 war with India.
It called upon the government of Pakistan to assign its high commissioner in Dhaka to look after the interests of a quarter million Pakistanis languishing in squalid camps across Bangladesh. It also urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to include on its agenda the issue of stranded Pakistanis.
The PRC meeting urged the United States and the United Nations to compel India to hold a plebiscite in Indian part of Kashmir.
Speaking at the meeting, Al-Ghamdi said the day should be celebrated not only by Saudis, but all Muslims since Saudi Arabia is the country where the two Holy Mosques are located. He paid tribute to King Abdul Aziz and his followers who established this country on the basis of the Qur'an and the Sunnah.
He praised Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for the massive development projects related to the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques, education and health care which benefit not only Saudis but also expatriates. He also praised the role of Pakistanis in the development of this country.
Referring to the stranded Pakistanis, he said: "During my three-and-a-half-year stay in Bangladesh, I witnessed the pathetic and miserable condition of the stranded Pakistanis that cannot be expressed in words." He hoped that Pakistan and Bangladesh would work together with the Rabita Trust to provide the necessary fund for their repatriation and rehabilitation.
Riaz Bukhari, president of Pakistan People's Community, said that celebrating the National Day of Saudi Arabia is our obligation since we consider this as our home. He praised King Abdullah for his love and support for Pakistan. He urged charity organizations to extend help to the stranded Pakistanis.
Riyaz Ghumman, president of Pak-Saudi Friendship Forum, praised the founder and leaders of this country. He said Saudi leaders especially King Abdullah played an important role in strengthening Muslim unity and supported the oppressed.
Businessman Mohammad Luqman said Saudis appreciated the role of Pakistanis in the development of Saudi Arabia. He paid tribute to the Saudi leadership for the development of the country. "We pray for the stability and prosperity of this country," he said.
Azeez Ahmed of the Pakistan Engineers Society said that after living for a long time in the Kingdom, we consider it our second home. He said that huge expansion projects for the holy mosques will help pilgrims in the future.
PRC convener Syed Ehsanul Haque praised King Abdullah's vision that envisages progress and prosperity. He proposed the establishment of "Pak-Saudi Strategic Commission" to promote relations between the two countries.
He lauded the Kingdom's stance on the issues of Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis and its help to Pakistan during natural calamities, such as earthquake and floods.
Community leaders Shamsuddin Altaf and Ilyas Meher also spoke on the occasion. The function was conducted by PRC General Secretary Abdul Qayyum Khan.