Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Pakistan National Solidarity Forum (PNSF) celebrated the 51st Defense Day of Pakistan with zeal and fervor. During the ceremony prominent speakers and poets of the community paid homage to the martyrs and ghazi of 1965 war with India. The event was held at Salt N Pepper Restaurant Aziziyah, here last week. Mian Zulfiqar veteran philanthropist and senior member of Jamaat-e-Islami Saudi Arabia chapter presided over the gathering. Zulfiqar praised the efforts of convener Syed Riaz Bukhari and thanked the group for inviting him to the function. He prayed for Pakistan's integrity, solidarity and prosperity. He also prayed for success of their Kashmiri brothers' struggle for independence. Mohammed Asif, professor of foreign languages at King Abdul Aziz University, was the chief guest while Mohammed Bilal, principal Pakistan International School, Aziziyah, was the guest of honor. Asif said, "Pakistan came into existence on the basis of Two Nation Theory. We will defend our ideology and thwart every conspiracy against it. "On Sept. 6, 1965, the Pakistan's Armed Forces had defended the country stoutly, and the nation would never forget the sacrifices of the soldiers and officers who lost their lives for the safeguard our motherland." Convener Syed Riaz Bukhari thanked organizers for their efforts. He singularly thanked Rao Tahir, Khalid Gujjar, Furrukh Rashid, Mian Ahmed Bashir, Choudhry Rizwan, Fazal Mohammed, Sardar Mohammed Iqbal Yousuf, Choudhry Khursheed Matial, Malik Abid Awan, Ansar Ghuman, Choudhry Afzal Jut, Fakhir Ahmed Baloch, Faisal Arshad Khan, Munir Sindhu and Khalid Chaal for their assistance. He said we should relive our slogan "Reigniting the spirit of 6th September, 1965, with our unity and fullest support to Pakistan Armed forces. He further elaborated that Kashmir is unfinished agenda of Pakistan. Earlier the program began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Mohammed Asif. Naat was rendered by Sher Afzal. Afterwards the national anthems of Pakistan and Saudi Arab were played. Organizer of the event Mohammed Asif Butt thanked Bukhari and the participating members of all leading political parties, social and welfare organization of Pakistani community from whom the PNSF was derived. He said, "Bukhari is a role model of unity. His efforts to unite all political parties of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia and the people of different walks of life from the Pakistani community under one banner of PNSF is a testimony itself." Tanveer Waraich (PML-N), Khalid Gujjar (PPP), Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmed (PTI), Ghulam Nabi Butt and Sardar Mohammed Iqbal Yousuf (JKCO overseas) paid tribute to the martyrs of 1965 war. They also praised and congratulated PNSF for organizing the function. They appealed to UN Security Council (UNSC) to take notice of the escalating incidents in Jammu and Kashmir region. Poets Zamurrad Saifi and Mohsin Alvi presented poems titled "Difa-e-Pakistan". Aslam Zubair, Ahmed Zubair, Ali Reza and Qari Sultan sung national songs. Qari Asif made supplications for preservation, integrity, sovereignty and solidarity of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and all Muslim Ummah.
