Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) held at Mehran restaurant a symposium titled “Kashmir and Obligation of Muslim World” in solidarity with Kashmiris fighting for the right of self determination. It was presided by renowned Saudi intellectual and ex-diplomat Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi. Chief Guest was Choudhry Khursheed Ahmed Metial of Jammu and Kashmir Community Overseas.

Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, in his presidential address, said that according to two-nation theory Kashmir should have been part of Pakistan. He said Kashmir issue is the oldest issue, even before Palestine issue, lying in UN and waiting for solution. He said that Indo-British conspiracy under the maharaja condoned Indian occupation of Kashmir in 1948. Upon Pakistan’s protest Prime Minister Nehru promised to Security Council that India will organize a plebiscite in Kashmir soon but even after 70 years India has not organized the plebiscite.

India and Pakistan fought three wars on Kashmir issue. For permanent peace in subcontinent between two nuclear neighboring states the issue must be solved peacefully. Pakistan and OIC should take this issue seriously in UN to pursue India to organize plebiscite in Kashmir as soon as possible and remove its forces from suppressing the people’s movement for their right of self determination.

He also reminded Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to issue passports to fulfill his promise to repatriate and rehabilitate patriotic Pakistanis languishing in Bangladesh. He demanded that Pakistan revalidated their citizenship and issue passports to them. PRC proposal envisages a solution on self-finance basis without burdening national economy.

Chief guest Khurshed Ahmed thanked PRC for organizing the symposium on Kashmir. He also urged other organizations to come forward in extending support to Kashmiri people. He condemned Indian forces atrocities on innocent and unarmed Kashmiris who demand their legitimate rights of self determination. He said that with affiliation of Kashmir to Pakistan; it will become tiger of Asia. He urged young generation to come forward and support Kashmiri brethren in their basic right.

Young scholar Faisal Tahir Khan presented his write up and shed light on historical facts of Kashmir issue. He said that Lord Mountbatten did not implement in true spirit the agreement of two-nation theory hence allowing Indian army to occupy Kashmir following a call from the maharaja, who was holding the office under British rule. He quoted that India’s Premier Nehru wrote to then Pakistan Premier Liaqat Ali Khan on Oct. 31, 1947 that “We commit that as soon as peace prevails, we will remove our forces from Kashmir and people will decide their affiliation by plebiscite. This is our promise not only to you (Pakistan) but also for Kashmiri people and the world organization”.

Eng. Syed Neaz Ahmed, president Pakistan Writers Forum (PWF), said that Muslim Ummah is like one body so any part will pain due to suffering; now issues like Kashmir; Palestine; Burmese Muslims; Syrians; stranded Pakistanis and other issues have increased the pain of Ummah. He said that Pakistan should have strong and permanent committee to project the issue worldwide.

He also urged to take concrete measures to repatriate and rehabilitate patriotic Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh since 1971.

Choudhry Rizwan Rasheed, president of Pak Media Group, praised PRC for holding a symposium on issue of Kashmir in solidarity with those under Indian occupation. He said during his visit to Brussels last month to attend a conference; he found that Pakistani community in Europe is lobbying for rights of Kashmiris and highlighting their plight. He urged all government entities to take consistent and strategic stand to raise the Kashmir issue in the international arena.

He said that it is need of the hour to unite the Ummah and to take lead in solving issues of Kashmir; Palestine; stranded Pakistanis; Burmese Muslims and other issues.

Dr. Naeem Qaim Khani, deputy convener Pak Surzameen Party (PSP) Middle East, appreciated PRC for always raising the issues of Kashmiris and stranded Pakistanis, which are our national issues. He said that issue of Kashmir is in UN Security Council hence it is not only issue of Muslim world but is an international issue. He said the Indian army cannot stop the Kashmiris from their fight for basic rights of self determination.

He said that a few hundred stranded Pakistanis were repatriated in 1993 and settled in Mian channu where housing units were built by the late Ghulam Haider Wayen, then chief minister of Punjab. He urged the rulers to take this issue seriously to solve it.

Community leader Shamsuddin Altaf started his speech in Arabic in which he thanked Dr. Ghamdi and other guests for making the symposium successful. He urged government to make an active Kashmir committee to make the world about Kashmiri people’s plight.

Renowned Urdu writer Mohammad Amanatullah said that issue of Kashmir cannot be solved by remembering it once a year. In fact government must develop strategy to highlight the plight of Kashmiris under Indian occupation so that world should know the reality of the issue. He also urged the government to solve the issue of stranded Pakistanis on priority basis.

Shaikh Muhammad Luqman, Faisal Irshad Khan and Aga Akram also supported the idea of creating full time and strong Kashmir committee.

Convener Syed Ehsanul Haque praised Dr. Ghamdi and all the guests, speakers, poets and journalists for participating and making the symposium a success. He said that Quaid e Azam declared Kashmir as the life line for Pakistan so we must take it seriously and act. He also appealed to President Mamnoon Hussain to take urgent measures to solve the issue of stranded Pakistanis.

Syed Musarrat Khalil conducted the symposium and also presented his own views on Kashmir. Shamsuddin presented verses from Holy Qur’an and Naat (glorifying prophet Muhammad) was presented by Syed Raza Hashmi. Renowned poet Zamurrad Khan Saifi and Agha Mohammad Akraml presented poems in tribute of the struggles of Kashmiris.

Following resolutions were approved:

n Pakistan government should use good offices of OIC, UNO, China, US and superpowers to influence India to ensure plebiscite in Kashmir according to UN’s resolution of 1948.

n We urge President Mamnoon Hussain to take urgent measures to restart the repatriation and rehabilitation of stranded Pakistanis. To overcome the paucity of fund, we suggest to implement PRC proposal of ‘settlement of stranded Pakistanis on self finance basis’. Bangladesh should also play its role in solving the issue.

n Pakistani High Commissioner at Dhaka should be assigned to take care of Food, health, life and security of quarter million Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh. OIC should include in its agenda issue of stranded Pakistanis.