JEDDAH — It will be appropriate if OIC takes the lead in solving issues of Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis rather than expecting UN to solve these issues said renowned intellectual, scholar and ex-diplomat Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi in his address at a function organized by Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) on the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day at the VIP hall of Mehran restaurant. Al-Ghamdi said the creation of Pakistan was not only important for the Muslims of subcontinent but also for the whole Muslim world as a strong and stable Pakistan is the need of Ummah. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's stronger role could help in solving issues faced by the Muslim Ummah as we notice more and more issues such as Burmese, Syrian, Iraqi, Yemeni issues have surfaced recently while issues like Palestine, Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis remain unsolved, Ghamdi added. Talking about issue of quarter million Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bangladesh should seek the help of OIC and MWL to solve their repatriation and rehabilitation issue. He was surprised that a petition submitted by SPGRC was not considered due to lack of its registration in Pakistan. He asked Pakistani advocates to initiate another petition to the Supreme Court to secure their rights of Pakistani citizenship. He said those people are legitimate Pakistanis and denying their right is not a good sign for the image of the nation. They did not accept Bangladeshi citizenship and preferred to live in miserable condition in squalid camps for over four decades in the hope of their repatriation, promised by most of the rulers, and a trust was established in 1988 for this purpose. He said that once Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasseef fully recovers a delegation comprising of Dr. Francis Lamand, himself and PRC chairman Ehtesham uddin Arshad would seek a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss an action plan for their repatriation and rehabilitation on urgent basis. Chief Guest Dr. Irfan Hashmi, president Majlis-e-Iqbal, appreciated PRC for holding a community function on this national event. Convener Syed Ehsanul Haque thanked all speakers, journalist, poets and guests. He said that the purpose of Pakistan's achievement could be achieved only by adhering to Qur'an and Sunnah and the message of Quaid-e-Azam i.e. Faith, Unity and Discipline. He said we salute Syed Gilani and his compatriots for hoisting Pakistani flag in Kashmir. We urge our government not to enter into any dialogue with India without inclusion of Gilani and Wayez Farooq. Community leaders Maqbool-ur-Rahman Abbasi, Aziz Ahmed, Shamsuddin Altaf, Mohammad Amanatullah, Mohammad Luqman and Akram Aga said we must work hard to protect the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan. They urged the quick resolution to issues of Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis. They condemned several terrorist attacks in mosques in Saudi Arabia. We stand with families of victims, our Saudi brethren and leadership in the difficult times, they added. Abu Farhan Siddiqui, organizer MWOD, highlighted its activities specially the slaughtering of animals at Eid-ul-Adha for stranded Pakistanis. The function started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Mohammad Zakir Hussain. Naat was recited by Mohsin Alvi. Zamurrad Saifi presented poems and Sher Afzal presented the national song. Hamid-ul-Islam Khan deputy convener welcomed all guests.
