Syed Mussarat Khalil Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, recipient of Hilal-e-Pakistan and President World Muslim Congress (WMC), said UN resolution should be a guideline for a dialogue between India and Pakistan to solve issues, including Kashmiri. “A peaceful negotiation would not only ensure their rights but is also essential for peace in the subcontinent. We hope and pray that with sincere efforts the issue is resolved soon,” he said while speaking at the symposium titled "Kashmir & Obligation of Muslim World," organized by Pakistan Repatriation Council on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. A special supplication was made for the forgiveness of late King Abdullah. The gathering also prayed for the success of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman for the successful running of the affairs of the Kingdom. Referring to the issue of Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh, Dr. Naseef said that Premier Nawaz Sharif did take initiative in 1988 as chief minister Punjab and in 1992 and 1997 as prime minister to solve the issue of their repatriation and rehabilitation. "We hope that this issue gets due priority again in his agenda." Renowned journalist, recipient of Pakistan's prestigious award Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Editor at Large of Saudi Gazette Khaled Almaeena, who was the chief guest, said that it is wishful thinking that UN will initiate plebiscite after 65 years though it did carry out one very fast in East Timor and Sudan but failed to take any steps for the right of Palestine or Kashmir. “The solution to Kashmir will not come via any type of war or threat but only by negotiations. I also support the idea that Kashmiris should be on the negotiation table and may be they opt for their independence instead of joining Pakistan or India. This is important that both India and Pakistan invest on people's welfare, education, healthcare and make efforts to eliminate poverty, corruption and terrorism rather than spending valuable resources on arsenal,” he said. He also praised PRC for highlighting the plight of quarter million patriotic Pakistanis living in miserable condition in the camps in Bangladesh since 1971. He said that Naseef is a role model for him and he praised his initiative to solve the issue of stranded Pakistanis. "I think Pakistan has to come forward to show it cares for its citizens and in this regards OIC or MWL could extend assistance." Guest of honor, distinguished scholar and former diplomat, Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi said that under the ideology of Two Nation theory for the division of subcontinent, Kashmir must have been an integral part of Pakistan, since majority population is Muslim. Pakistan and India fought three wars on this issue and failed to solve it. Since India accepted UN's security council resolution passed in 1948, it should organize plebiscite in Kashmir. OIC can also assist in a dialogue between India and Pakistan to seek a peaceful solution for Kashmiris. He lauded the role of Naseef for creating Rabita Fund signed by him (as secretary general MWL) with late President Ziaul Haque in 1988. Partial initiative was taken but the issue could not be resolved even after 43 years and the Trust remains frozen since 2001. I request Dr. Naseef to take another expedition to create a new Trust to restart the process of their repatriation and rehabilitation. Other guests and speakers included Shahid Naeem, president Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF); Aziz Ahmed, secretary general Pakistan Engineers Society (PES); Tayyab Moosani, secretary general, Memon Welfare Society (MWS); Syed Ghazanfar Hassan, Syed Nasseer uddin and Syed Fazal Faizi, Engineers Welfare Forum (EWF); and Shamsuddin Altaf, active member of Pakistan Peoples Community. Mohammed Amanatullah and local businessman Mohammed Luqman praised PRC for celebrating Kashmir Solidarity Day in grand manner. Deputy convener Hamid Islam Khan elaborated PRC's mission for the cause of Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis. Convener Syed Ehsanul Haque praised and thanked Naseef, Almaeena, Al-Ghamdi and all other guests, speakers, poets and journalists for participating in the symposium. He urged that OIC should take concerted effort to solve the issue of Kashmir. He also called on Nawaz Sharif government to take urgent measures to solve the issue of Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis. The event began with the recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an byAbdul Majeed. Secretary General Abdul Qayyum Wasiq conducted the symposium. A naat was presented by Syed Mohsin Alavi. Alavi, Wasiq, and Zamurrad Khan Saifi presented their poems in tribute to the Kashmiris.
