A function was organized last week in Jeddah by the Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) to mark the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the adaptation of the Pakistan Resolution passed in Lahore on March 23, 1940, also known as the Pakistan Day. Chief guest Dr. Mohammed Khaled Bahazeq, social worker and founder of the International Muslim Organization, in his speech praised Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's leadership and Pakistan's role in the world, especially in regards to the Ummah. He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have the “same goal and objective under the ruling of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah”. Farooq Mohammed Luqman, acting editor-in-chief of Urdu News, who presided over the function, said the subcontinent's Muslims were “fortunate to have a leader like Jinnah, whose wisdom, courage and logical and determined approach convinced people for the creation of a new state”. Guest of honour Sameera Aziz, Saudi Gazette senior editor, in her message said: “We must commit ourselves to the Quaid-e-Azam's message of unity, faith and discipline in order to achieve the real objective of making Pakistan a true Islamic welfare state. Without unity, we cannot solve issues of Kashmir and the stranded Pakistanis (Biharis).” Qari Irshadul Hague, vice chairman of Kashmir Community; Eng. Iftekhar Choudhary, chairman of Halqa-e-Yarane Watan; Mohammad Luqman; Ashfaque Badaouni; Tariq Mahmud; Gulab Khan; Ilyas Mehar and Syed Shahabuddin paid rich tributes to Jinnah and Allama Iqbal. Convener Ehsanul Haque lamented that “the Kashmir issue has not been solved in 63 years and that of the stranded Pakistanis in 38 years”. The function was conducted by Syed Mussarat Khalil, recitation of the Holy Qur'an by Qari Abdul Majeed and naat by Sher Afzal. Poets Naseem Sehar, Athar Nafees Abbasi, Abdul Qayyum Waseq, Syed Mohsin Alavi, Zamurrad Khan Saifi and Gul-e-Anwar presented poetic tributes to Pakistan and its founders. Various resolutions were passed by the gathering in the interest of the stranded Pakistanis.
