JEDDAH — Pakistan National Solidarity Forum (PNSF), a common platform of various political, academic, literary, cultural and other organizations from the members of Pakistani community in Western region, marked the 139th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with great zeal and fervor at Lasani Spices Village Restaurant recently. Ahmed Bashir, senior member of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI), presided over the gathering. He lauded the efforts of PNSF convener Syed Riaz Bukhari, who united all organizations on one stage. Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, renowned Saudi intellectual, writer and former diplomat was chief guest. On behalf of Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, his son Mohammed Al-Ghamdi spoke and said that Jinnah was an exemplary leader. "Under his leadership and contribution Muslims of subcontinent were able to achieve a separate homeland. Now it is the duty of all Pakistanis to work hard to make Pakistan prosperous," he said. He added: "Great nations take care of all of their citizens and ignoring quarter million patriotic Pakistanis in Bangladesh cannot be justified. Islam also commends those rulers who take care of not only elite people also downtrodden people of society." He said: "When they migrated from India to East Pakistan in1947 they became Pakistanis and that they courageously sided with the Pakistani army in 1971 war was evidence of their loyalty and patriotism. They did not accept Bangladeshi citizenship and preferred to live in miserable condition in squalid camps for over four decades in hope of their repatriation promised by most of the rulers." Earlier convener Syed Riaz Hussain Bukhari opened the session and elaborated on PNSF's effort in uniting leading organizations from the community with Pakistanis from different walks of life by adopting the teachings of Quaid: "Unity, Faith and Discipline". Bukhari said this is the fifth function which we are organizing with collaboration PTI, JUI, PML-N, JI, ANP, Halqa-e-Danish, PNC, AUM, PRC, PWS, PWF, Jet Foundation, EWF, PJF by following the footsteps of Quaid. He thanked all participants for attending. Speakers included Aziz Ahmed, Malik Mohiuddin, Riaz Ghumman, Mohammed Luqman, Qari Irshad-ul-Haque, Syed Shehab Uddin, Mir Masood, Mohammed Zubair, Mian Tariq Jawaid who paid rich tribute to the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his valuable contribution towards the creation of Pakistan. Syed Ehsan-ul-Haque thanked PNSF and briefed all about PRC's effort in solving the issue of Kashmiris and stranded Pakistanis. Mohsin Alvi and Zamarrud Saifi recited poems in tribute to Quaid-e-Azam. During the function a documentary on the life of Quaid was also screened and cake cutting ceremony was held later. Hamid Bashir gave vote of thanks on behalf of sponsor PTI.
