[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="PJF holds I-Day function" ids="77354,77353,77351,77352"] By Mahmood Hasan JEDDAH — Everyone was a winner at the Pakistan Independence Day function organized by Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF) at a local hotel here Saturday night. All the guests walked out of the hall wearing smiles and holding the gifts they had won for answering general knowledge questions related to Pakistan and its history. The ones who did not win anything were offered souvenir gifts by the organizers. The program, conducted by PJF Chairman Amir Mohammad Khan and PJF President Shahid Naeem, was peppered with national songs and skits. The people also aired their hopes and aspirations for Pakistan. Shoaib Mubarak, Vice Consul at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah, said that all speak about what the country has lost, "we should also give some thought to what Pakistan has achieved since independence." He then recounted a long list of achievements Pakistan has accomplished. Pointing to a remark made by a sister at the function, he added: "Yes Pakistan as a nation is not sleeping. It is very much vibrant and energetic." Waleed A. Al-Shehri, broadcaster with Jeddah Radio, congratulated the gathering and prayed for continued better ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and an early resolution to the Kashmir issue under the United Nations charter. The youths showed their enthusiasm by joining the lead singer. The gathering burst into loud cheers as the clock struck 12 (midnight) and a cake was cut to mark the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan. The gathering also got a chance to see a slightly different type of calligraphy by Azam Khan, a Pakistani who is in the Kingdom for the last three decades. He drew a picture of the Quaid with the words "Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah – Founder of Pakistan" (in Urdu). Yaheya Ashfaq, professional photographer and a member of the PJF, and his friend Umer Jan went to the bottom of the Red Sea near Jeddah to celebrate the day. The two, along with their friend Qazi Ajmal, had also taken the dip to earlier this year to welcome the month of fasting.
