The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) recently held the 72nd anniversary of Pakistan's resolution day, calling for plebiscite in Kashmir and the repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in the Bangladesh. The said resolution was approved in Lahore on March 23, 1940, paving the way for the creation of the nation in seven years. Athar Nafees Abbasi, poet and president of Alami Urdu Markaz, presided over the event and congratulated PRC for the function. He said that Pakistanis must adhere to the mission of Quaide Azam (unity, faith and discipline) to overcome the difficult situation and must unite rather than be divided, with varying linguistic, parochial, ethnic and provincial mentalities. Chief guest Dr. Abdul Aleem Khan, secretary general of Engineers Welfare Forum, said that Pakistan was established in the name of Islam and only this bond can protect the country. He lamented that Pakistan failed to exploit its enormous resources and instead depended on foreign aid, which has created problems in the economy and other aspects in nation-building. Khan urged the Pakistani government to arrange the repatriation and rehabilitation of stranded Pakistanis, as per the Rabita Trust signed by late President Ziaul Haque and the Muslim World League in 1988. Community leader Riaz Ghumman Choudhry said it was vital for Pakistanis to educate the new generation about the creation of Pakistan for them to understand the true value of independence and with what cost and sacrifices it was achieved. March 23 is a historical day for the nation, said Vice President of Urdu Markaz Gulab Khan, adding that Pakistanis must work together “to overcome the conspiracy against Pakistan.” He also demanded the urgent repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. Mohammad Azad Khan of the Kashmir Community said they expect that with the help of Pakistan, a Kashmir plebiscite can be achieved as per a UN resolution. Engr. Azeez Ahmed, secretary general of Pakistan Engineers Society, lauded PRC for working toward noble causes and celebrating National Days with fervor, which assebles community leaders, irrespective of party affiliations. He said Pakistanis should have the courage to speak on issues facing the nation. Convener Ehsanul Haque thanked all the guests, speakers, poets and journalists present. He paid tribute to founder Quaide Azam and thinker Allama Iqbal for the creation of a home for the subcontinent's Muslims. “However, due to vested interests we could not achieve our goal and mission. Rather, we are lost in unresolved issues of Kashmir, stranded Pakistanis and other issues people face. Today, we must pledge to work on individually and collectively for the mission and objectives of Pakistan,” he said. Shaikh Mohammad Luqman, Hamid Islam Khan, Shamsuddin Altaf, Mohammad Nawaz Janjua and Syed Shehabuddin praised the leadership of Quaide Azam for the fulfillment of Allama Iqbal's dream to create a Muslim state in the subcontinent. Renowned poets Engr. Syed Mohsin Alavi, Abdul Qayyum Waseq, Athar Abbasi and Zamurrad Khan Saifi presented poems as a tribute to the leaders of the Pakistan movement and people's sacrifices. Abdul Qayyum Waseq conducted the function. Engr. Qari Abdul Majeed recited verses from the Holy Qur'an. Naat was presented by Sher Afzal. Engr. Masood Abbasi presented selected popular poems of Allama Iqbal. Other guests included Mohammad Ashfaque Badaoyuni, Abu Farhan Siddiqui, Engr. Mahmood Akhter, Engr. Ghazanfar Hassan and Engr. Tariq Lateef. Qari Abdul Majeed made supplication for the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan according to its ideology and to solve the issues of Kashmiris and stranded Pakistanis according to their will.
