Syed Mussarat Khalil

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) held a symposium titled “ Nuclear Technology – our need and obligation” on the occasion of 16th anniversary of “Youme Takbir” at Kababish restaurant here.



On May 28, 1998, Pakistan had detonated a nuclear device in response  to India.



Guests and speakers at the symposium included Dr. Irfan Hashmi, president Majlise Iqbal of Urdu Markaz; Aziz Ahmed, secretary general of  Pakistan Engineers Society; Maqboolur Rahman Abbasi, Pakistan Journalists Forum; Tayyab Mosani, secretary general of Pakistan Memon Association; Eliyas Meher and Mohammad Akram Agha, Pakistan Peoples Community; Sheikh Mohammad Luqman, Shamsuddin Altaf, social and business community members; and  Mohammad Amanatullah, columnist.



Renowned writer and ex-diplomat Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi congratulated PRC on holding symposium on an important topic.



He said: “Youme Takbeer is not only day of pride for Pakistanis only but it is for all Muslims in the world as an Islamic state had acquired nuclear technology and became member of nuclear club. We must bow our head to Allah for such great honor. We know that Nawaz Sharif who was then also the prime minister said that acquiring atomic technology  was  critical  for  our defense by maintaining the deterrence.”



He further said that nations take care of their citizens whether  they are poor or rich, strong or weak.



Al-Ghamdi urged Sharif to secure the rights of Pakistanis languishing in Bangladeshi camps for their loyalty and sacrifices for Pakistan from 1947 until to date. It is their primary right to  be repatriated and settled in Pakistan as soon as possible, he said.



The ex-diplomat also spoke about Shaikh Ameen Aqil al-Attas who died this week in Makkah.



“He was first secretary general of Rabita Trust and I met him in Dhaka in a Geneva camp of stranded Pakistanis. He wanted to help for them, and was very enthusiastic and supportive. He was accompanied by local Rabita leader Mir Quasem Ali who is imprisoned by the present govt. on false charges. We pray for his safe release.”



Aziz Ahmed agreed with the mission of PRC that is without repatriation of stranded Pakistanis and joining of Kashmiris Pakistan will not be complete. He said that major credit  goes to  Abdul Qadeer Khan, and leaders  Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto  and  Nawaz Sharif deserve credit for accomplishing the target.



Tayyab Mosani said: “We became nuclear power but could not take advantage of this technology for people. In fact  this is to maintain strategic balance in the subcontinent to maintain peace and stability in the region and then work for the betterment of people.”



He added: “Worldwide majority of the electricity is produced by nuclear power but in Pakistan we hardly have three small plants.”



Luqman said: “Bhutto did great job by bringing Dr. Abdul Qadeer and sponsoring the project of nuclear device. However, it is the duty of  our government to seek the common and peaceful use of the technology.”



Dr.Irfan Hashmi, Amanatullah and Agha Mohammad Akram also echoed the same sentiments.



Altaf paid tribute to Al Ghamdi. “We hope that the peaceful relationship between India and Pakistan will improve.”



Convener Ehsanul Haque thanked all the guests, speakers, poets and journalists for participating in the symposium. “We need to improve  our image and become a united nation rather than being divided on the basis of several ethnic, religious  or linguistic entities. It's a pity  that in the past 16  years, we failed to use team’s talent to explore nuclear technology  for development of electricity, advancement of agriculture, medicine, etc.”



He added: “Let’s hope that  Nawaz Modi meeting can bring peace in the region and both countries can concentrate on serving the people.”



The symposium started with the recitation of a few versus from the Qur'an by Abdul Majeed who also made a supplication for mankind at the end; Naat was presented by Raza Hashmi.



It was  conducted by Abdul Qayyumn, secretary General  of PRC. Poets Zamurrad Khan Saifi, Abdul Qayyum Wasiq and Syed Mohsin Alvi paid tribute to leaders and scientists of their country. Sher Afzal presented a popular national song, “Sohni Dharti.”