Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Pakistan Writers Forum (PWF) a well known literary organization of poets, writers, journalists and intellectuals, held a seminar titled "Pakistan Movement and Pakistan" to mark 78th death anniversary of Pakistan's thinker and poet Dr. Allama Mohammed Iqbal at Mehran restaurant recently. Syed Ehsan-ul-Haque, convener Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC), presided over the gathering while Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi former Saudi diplomat, writer and scholar was chief guest and keynote speaker. Other distinguished guests included Aziz Ahmed, Prof. Khursheed Ahmed, Ayub Bahjat Najmi, Malik Mohiuddin, Shamsuddin Altaf, Agha Akram, Tayyab Mosani, Fazal Usmani, Naimatullah, Mohammed Salim Khan, Muzaffar Raja, PWF members Ashfaque Ahmed, Yasir Mahmoud, Aslam Zubair and others. Haque thanked PWF for organizing a seminar on an important topic. He said establishment of Pakistan was a miracle that happened within 7 years from the Pakistan's resolution of March 1940. He said enormous sacrifices were rendered by the Muslims of India, especially from Bihar, which was also acknowledged by Quaid-e-Azam. It was unfortunate that East Pakistan was not given due importance in running the affairs of the country though their loyalty could not be doubted. In 1964 election, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah got more votes in East Pakistan than the west, but things changed that within six years they decided to separate, and this call should been taken seriously. Also those patriotic Pakistanis, who sided with Pakistan army in 1971 war with India are living in miserable condition following the creation of Bangladesh. It is sole responsibility of our government to arrange their repatriation to Pakistan. He paid rich tributes to Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. Haque said those who migrated from Bihar and other provinces of India to East Pakistan in 1947 tried to protect the sovereignty in 1971 and living in captivity in Bangladeshi camps after the fall of Dhaka must be repatriated to Pakistan. Keynote speaker Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi also paid rich tributes to Allama Iqbal and said he was not only a great poet and philosopher but also a great reformer and thinker whose idea gave birth to Pakistan. He said that originally Quaid-e-Azam was working with Congress but Allama Iqbal was able to convince him to fight for a separate homeland for Pakistan. He said the first thinker who gave the idea of separate Muslim homeland was Abu Rehan Mohammad Bin Ahmed Al-Bairuni, who migrated to India in 8th century. He added Pakistan should have welcomed Muslims of India since it was established on the two-nation theory. Syed Neaz Ahmed, chairman, PWF welcomed all guests. He prayed for Pakistan's stability, development and prosperity. He hoped that one day Pakistan would lead the Islamic World. Zamurrad Khan Saifi, Tahir Malik and Saeed Khan spoke on the topic and Allama Iqbal. Saifi also briefed all about PWS activities. Ather Abbasi, Mohsin Alvi and Dr. Tariq Cheema presented national poems. The program was started with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Mohammed Asif. The Naat was presented by Sher Afzal and the national song by Ahmed Zubair. Touqir Ahmed conducted the program.
