Syed Mussarat Khalil Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Renowned writer and former Saudi diplomat Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi said that May 28,1998 was not only a day of pride for Pakistanis but for the Muslim world upon acquiring nuclear deterrence in the region. He was giving his presidential address at the function organized by Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) recently at Kababish restaurant to celebrate the 15th anniversary of “Youm-e-Takbeer” (The day of Greatness), when Pakistan detonated six nuclear device in response to India's five detonated earlier. He further said that earlier Prime Minister Mohammed Nawaz Sharif stated that it was an issue of life and death for the nation, and he had to suffer for taking that decision. People have again given him the mandate, and it is time for him to build the nation's image by solving the pressing issues faced by the country. He reminded Sharif to fulfill his commitment to repatriate Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh for the last four decades. They are legitimate Pakistanis who are hoisting Pakistani flags in the camps and most of them want to go to Pakistan. This was also accepted by Bangladesh's Foreign Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia that those people are He said during his stay in Pakistan, and later in Bangladesh as a diplomatic, he has seen the condition of stranded Pakistanis closely, which was very pathetic. Chief Guest Athar Nafees Abbasi, President of Urdu Markaz, said that May 28 is day of our travel to new mission and it provides light to our destination which we can achieve by our unity and faith. He prayed that PRC's mission for securing the right of citizenship of stranded Pakistanis languishing in Bangladeshi camps since 1971. He also presented his poem on this historical day. Engineer Aziz Ahmed, general secretary, Pakistan Engineers Society (PES), said Pakistan is on a cross road where a capable and strong leadership can only save its safe future. Aga Mohammad Akram of Peoples Community praised Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for starting nuclear defense project under Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, which was accomplished bySharif May 28 with nuclear deterrence. He said today we need to unite ourselves for sake of Pakistan irrespective of provincial, linguistic, religious and party politics. Another community member Shamsuddin Altaf said that though we have achieved the nuclear capability in defense, we have failed to take advantage of its technology for common people. Tayyab Mosani, general secretary, Memon Association, said that we need to concentrate on controlling terrorism, illiteracy and poverty to improve the condition of common man. Convener Syed Ehsan-ul-Haque thanked Al-Ghamdi and guests for being part of the occasion. He also praised Khan's efforts. Syed Shahabuddin, Mohammad Luqman, Mohammad Ashfaque Badayouni, and Mohammad Nawaz Janjua also praised Khan, Samar Mubarakmand and his team, and Sharif for his courageous decision. The event started with the recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an by Janjua followed by Naat by Shar Afzal. Poet Mohsin Alvi paid tribute to leaders and scientists on Youm-e-Takbeer. Abdul Qayyum Wasiq, secretary general, PRC, conducted the function. At the end,a supplication was made by Bahjat Najmi for the solidarity and integrity of Pakistan.
