Faiz Al-Najdi Saudi Gazette RIYADH — Chaudhry Tahir Mahmood Hundli, a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) former lawmaker from Sialkot and a former health minister in the Punjab government who is on a private visit to the Kingdom, has been accorded a very warm welcome by the Pakistani community in Riyadh. A lot of events have been held to honor him by both PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Hundli's childhood friend in the Kingdom is Dr. Saeed Ahmed Waince who happens to be the incumbent President of PML-N for Riyadh Region. "We grew up together, went to school and college together. He became a diehard supporter of Bhutto and PPP and I became a Muslim Leaguer," he said. He further said that although PPP and PML-N are political adversaries but he and Hundli were good friends and will continue to remain good friends. "It is not that we are friends because we grew up together but in fact we are friends because of many good qualities that Hundli possesses," he said. "As a young student many a time I was involved in fights with our adversary groups. And each time Hundli used to play a role of reconciliation. Hundli used to bring us together again. I must admit here my friend Hundli unites and is not a divider," he proudly remarked. This proves that friendship knows no bounds; it is not influenced by race, religion or political divide and difference. Hundli, a Bhutto loyalist, was a student leader before he went on to become a political activist of PPP in his native Sialkot. He was elected member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Punjab twice, in 2002 and in 2007, and twice as the Nazim (mayor) in Sialkot. In the last government in Punjab he served as provincial health minister. His clean political career and down-to-earth attitude has earned him respect everywhere. In various receptions held in his honor, the community leaders spoke very highly of him. Waseem Sajid, deputy general secretary PPP Riyadh region, said Chaudhry Tahir is a glaring example of how dedicated workers rise in their ranks and attain position of command and respect. Rashid Mahmood Butt, SVP PML-N in Riyadh, said that Hundli is an ideological worker of PPP and is widely respected in his native place. "I am sure in the next election he would in back his traditional seat." Zahoor–ul–Hassan,VP of ANP in Riyadh, said he admired Hundli for all the great qualities that the speakers mentioned he posses. "I wish I could also become like him." Younus Abu Ghalib, a writer and a poet and chief of a literary group Halqa Ahbab-e-Ghalib, mentioned that Hundli spreads love — the reason behind why people love him. Naim Mughal, VP of PPP Riyadh region, quoting Benazir Bhutto, said that a politician was the one who could exercise restraint and demonstrate patience and tolerance. "Hundli is a successful leader because he possesses this trait." Malik Faqir Muhammad Awan, a former President of PPP Riyadh region, remarked that he was proud of the fact that Hundli was a Bhutto admirer like him. Muhammad Asghar Qureshi, chief coordinator of PPP Saudi Arabia, said that spending some quality time with Hundli was an honor for him. "I admire Chaudhry Tahir for his steadfastness. Many a politician has become turn-coats and has changed loyalty after their own political party got defeated. However, the proud worker and lover of Bhutto (Chaudhry Tahir Hundli) has remained in the fold of his PPP party," he said.
