JEDDAH — Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi renowned intellectual, writer and ex-diplomat, praised and thanked Kamel Agha. deputy chairman of Senate (upper house of the Parliament of Pakistan) and Sartaj Aziz, senator and National Security Advisor (NSA) as well as key adviser on the foreign policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for creation of special committee to look into solving the issue of settlements of patriotic Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh since 1971, Dr. Ghamdi oraised the formation of the panel in a function organized by Pakistan Repatriation Council PRC on the 85th anniversary of Saudi National Day at VIP hall of Mehran Restaurant Aziziyah. In his address Al-Ghamdi hoped that prime minister himself would take measures to solve the issue on urgent basis. “They (PRC) should not continue to live stateless,” he added. Al-Ghamdi praised PRC for organizing the function, which was attended by leading Pakistani community members. He said Saudi National Day is not only a day of pride for Saudis but also for the expatriates in Kingdom and Muslims around world. Muslims celebrate it since it is country of Harmain and spreads peace for all humanity on the basis of Islamic code. He remembered attending his first Saudi National Day function, held in 1965 in Beach Luxury hotel Karachi. He recalled major achievements of the founder King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who united Najd, Asir, Hijaz and other states to make it the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. His enforcement of Islamic law made this country of peace and humanity, which also gained credibility in the world. He said that all the rulers followed the basic principles laid down by King Abdul Aziz and facilitated to citizens and residents with continuous improvement in the Harmain and Haj sites, educational, health care, housing and other needs. Al-Ghamdi praised Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman and his team for continuity of massive development projects related to Harmain and other public projects. He also praised the King for exemplary handling of unfortunate crane incident in Haram, which martyred over 107 pilgrims and injured over 283. He not only, in very short time, ensured the investigations were conducted and report released but also penalized organizations while giving out generous financial support to the families of martyrs and injured. He praised the Pakistanis for contributing to development of Saudi Arabia, who were among the first group to come to this country about 60 years back. He said the Pak-Saudi relations is exemplary but there is still room for further improvement. Convener Syed Ehsanul Haque thanked Dr. Ghamdi, Saudi guests, speakers, poets, journalists and community members for participating in the event. He lauded the role of King Abdul Aziz and all rulers for serving the Muslim world, specially the pilgrims. He highly commended King Salman for promptly handling with great wisdom and leadership the crane incident and instantly helped victims by moral and financial support. Haque said, “Pak-Saudi relationship is very strong but we need to further enhance it in construction, trade, manpower, education, industry and other sectors in the Kingdom. He proposed to establish a Pak-Saudi Strategic Commission to enhance the both nations' interest. He praised the Senate for creating special committee for seeking solution for repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh. Aziz Ahmed, former broadcaster Mohammad Ashfaque Badayouni, Shamsuddin Altaf, Akram Aga, Urdu writer Saeed Ahmed Khan and Tayyab Moosani, general secretary Memon Welfare Society, congratulated Saudis on the National Day and said that we have always considered this country as our home since we have lived, earned, and supported our families while living here. They thanked PRC team for organizing the event. They paid rich tribute to King Abdul Aziz and considered him the greatest Muslim thinker and leader of last century who changed the pace of this country in positive direction. The function started with the recitation from holy Qur'an by Qari Abdul Majeed. Naat presented by Sher Afzal. Mohsin Alavi and Zamurrad Saifi presented poems in tribute to Saudi leadership. The function was conducted by Muhammad Amanatullah.
