JEDDAH — The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) celebrated the Pakistan's Independence Day in Mehran Restaurant here. It was presided over by renowned columnist and ex-diplomat Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, while renowned literary personality Mohammad Ashfaque Badayouni was the chief guest. Other guests and speakers included Mohammad Ali Al-Ghamdi, Raja Mohammad Zareen Khan, member Kashmir Committee (KC) Jeddah, Shahid Naeem, president Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF), Athar Nafees Abbasi, president Aalami Urdu Markaz (AUM), social workers Shamsuddin Altaf, Khalid Jawed, Altaf Rehman, Owais Akram, Aslam Tanweer, Agha Akram, Tariq Mahmoud, Fareed Hassan and Aftab Altaf. The function started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Mohammad Qasim, Naat was recited by Sher Afzal. Athar Abbasi, Mohsin Alavi and Atif Choudhry presented their poems. Dr. Al-Ghamdi in his address thanked PRC for inviting him to the event. He said the creation of Pakistan was not only a day of celebration for Pakistanis but for the whole Muslim Ummah since it is the only country created in the name of Islam. He said that idea of two-nation theory was first given by renowned Arab scholar Al-Bairuni who migrated to India in 1400 century and wrote many books. In one of his popular book he concluded that Muslims and Hindus cannot live together and Muslims should have separate land. After the failure of Muslim revolution of 1857, intellectuals like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Dr. Allama Iqbal and finally Quaid-e-Azam succeeded to create Islamic State of Pakistan after enormous sacrifices of Muslims, especially to those areas which remained part of India such as Bihar, UP and other provinces where Muslims were in minority. He said according to two-nation theory Kashmir should have been part of Pakistan but due to some conspiracy it was kept away which is key reason of Indo-Pak conflict that led to several wars. He added that though Pakistan lost its half in 1971 but it is still a leading state of Muslim world. He said great nation take care of their citizens with respect and dignity which is not met in case of quarter million Pakistanis living in pathetic condition in Bangladesh for 45 years. He said that Nawaz Sharif is blessed by Allah to become prime minister for the third tenure and it is his obligation to order all measures to repatriate and rehabilitate them in Pakistan. This will remain a black spot on the image of Pakistan as long its citizens continue to languish in Bangladesh, who considers them traitors due to their siding with Pakistan army in 1971 war which led to creation of Bangladesh. Badayouni said while achievement of independence was a great movement under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam maintaining a sovereign state is more difficult. Mohammad Zareen Khan said Kashmiris endorsed joining Pakistan in1940 resolution by its leader Rana Zafar Jandowal when he made speech in presence of Quaid-e-Azam. Another leader Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan endorsed it in Kashmir parliament in 1970. He said Kashmiris want to join Pakistan after all tortures by Indian army. Deputy convener Hamid Islam Khan said that PRC's agenda is: "Pakistan will not be complete without return of patriotic Pakistanis from Bangladesh and joining of Kashmiris." Shahid Naeem, Shamsuddin Altaf, Mohammad Amanatullah Akram Aga praised PRC for organizing the event. Convener Syed Ehsanul Haque thanked Dr. Ghamdi and all attendees. He said: " We urge Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to mandate Senate Committee (established in October 2015 ) to restart the process of repatriation and rehabilitation of stranded Pakistanis. To overcome the paucity of fund, we suggest to implement PRC proposal of ‘settlement of stranded Pakistanis on self finance basis'. Bangladesh should also play its role in solving the issue. Pakistani High Commissioner at Dhaka should be assigned to take care of Food, health, life and security of quarter million Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh. OIC should include in its agenda the issue of settlement of stranded Pakistanis." He said, we salute Syed Gilani; Mir Wayez Farooq and their compatriots for demanding plebiscite; hoisting Pakistani flag in Kashmir and celebrating Independence day. We urge our government not to enter into any dialogue with India without leaders of Kashmir. He said, "We urge Eidhi Trust and those welfare wings belonging to Jamaat e Islami, Tehrike e Insaaf and Muslim league to start welfare activities for stranded Pakistanis in Bangladeshi camps." Qari Qasim made supplications for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh.
