Syed Mussarat Khalil
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The present political crisis that has enveloped Pakistan will be resolved soon, Pakistan Consul General Aftab Ahmed Khoker said.
He was speaking at a function organized on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day by employees of the SACODECO of Saudi Biladin Group at Fine Grill restaurant Thursday. Khokher told his called compatriots not to worry about the situation in Pakistan as the crisis shown on TV channels and reported by newspapers is artificial, and will soon be resolved.
"Our country will move again towards the path of peace, progress and prosperity," he said.
He congratulated to the organizers for hosting the Independence Day function with great national spirit and enthusiasm.
Khokher also said that the Consulate General of Pakistan will provide all consular services to community members on merit basis.
He announced that online appointment system for issuance or renewal of passport and other consular services will start soon.
The consul general urged members of the community to renew their passport at least six months before expiry and get the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) as soon as possible. The gathering witnessed the attendance of a large numbers of Pakistani workers and employees of SACODECO.
Newly arrived Deputy Consul General Pakistan Asif Memon, President of Pakistan Christian Welfare Society (PCWS) Pervaiz Yousuf Masih, and Chairman Pakistan Journalist Forum Jeddah (PJFJ) Amir Mohammed Khan also attended the function as guests of honor.
Sylvester Goher, chief organizer and master of ceremony, welcomed the guests and audience.
"With the cooperation of the workers and support of the company we are organizing the Independence day function for the last 20 years without any interruption," he said. He also praised members of the organizing committee Riaz Ghani, Sajid Malik, Khalid Hussain, Ishtiaq Anjum, Shabir Hussain and others.
Pervaiz Yousuf congratulated the audience on Independence Day. "Our fathers and grandfathers gave sacrifices in creation of Pakistan. Therefore, we ‘Es parcham kay saaye taly hum aik hain (under this flag we are one).’"
Amir M. Khan and Shamoun Yousuf presented national and patriotic songs. Earlier, the function began with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur’an by Mohammed Iqbal and Naat by Kashia.
