Growing ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan augured well for future cooperation between the two countries, said Pakistan Ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Umar Khan Ali Sherzai, at a national day function in Riyadh. Sherzai highlighted the growing links between the two nations. This includes the imminent arrival in the Kingdom of 3,800 medical doctors. In addition, the Saudi government has donated land in Al-Bahah and Najran for the construction of Pakistani schools. He called on Pakistanis to work hard and to respect local laws. Sherzai was speaking at the event hosted by the Pakistan Writers Club-Riyadh (PWC) on Pakistan Day. PWC is an association of Pakistani expatriate writers, journalists, poets and columnists living and working in Saudi Arabia. It often organizes programs to mark national days and hosts literary events. The program started with a recitation from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Hafiz Saeed, followed by melodious Naat by Azhar Majeed. Naat is poetry recited in praise of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The principal speakers were mostly young Pakistani students who expressed their feelings for their country. Saad Khan, Umair Jafri, Aymen Zaheer and Zain Anwarul Haq spoke about a range of issues including the creation of Pakistan and its many achievements. Prof. Javed Iqbal, Bureau Chief of Urdu News in Riyadh, spoke about various aspects of the Quaid's personality. Quaid refers to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Quaid-i-Azam. the founder of Pakistan. Some national songs were presented by Khursheed Alam, Abdul Hameed Rizvi and Shoaib Shahzad, which was greeted with applause from the audience. Faiz Al-Najdi, the PWC's patron-in-chief, praised the PWC and its current leadership for its programs and events for the Pakistani diaspora in Riyadh. In his speech he praised the great Quaid for his contribution to creating Pakistan within seven years of the Lahore Resolution. Al-Najdi said, however, that Pakistanis have not worked hard enough over the years which has resulted in a sustained regression of the country. He called on the Pakistani youth to work hard to arrest this trend. Also in attendance at the event was Syed Bashir Ahmed, the PWC president, and Choudhry Rehmat Ali, the PWC general secretary.
