JEDDAH: The Consulate General of Pakistan organised a seminar on Jammu and Kashmir on October 27, 2021 at the Pakistan House Jeddah. A cross section of prominent members of the Pakistani/Kashmiri community and Saudi dignitaries attended the event.

The event started with reading out of special messages from President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Key speakers included former Saudi defence attaché to Pakistan General Abdullah Al Ghamdi (Retd), prominent Saudi scholar Faiz Ali Abideen, renowned political analyst Khaled Al-Maeena, executive director of the OIC-IPHRC, Marghoob Saleem Butt, Kashmir Committee chairman Masood Puri, J&K Overseas Community chairman Ch Khurshid Matial and the consul general.

In addition, a recorded message by Saudi veteran diplomat and scholar Dr Ali Al Ghamdi was displayed to the audience. Besides, two students from Pakistani community schools made special speeches, representing the sentiments of the Pakistani young generation for the Kashmir cause.

The speakers highlighted the significance of the day; condemned the brutalities of the Indian occupying forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly post-August 5, 2019; paid homage to the sacrifices of Kashmiris against the Indian oppression; underlined that Pakistan will never withdraw from its principled stance on the IIOJK; and reiterated moral, political, and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir in their just struggle for the right to self-determination, as promised to them by the international community through successive UN Security Council resolutions.

The speakers also acknowledged and lauded consistent support to the Kashmir cause by the Saudi government and the OIC.

The consul general and the Kashmir Committee awarded appreciation shields to prominent Pakistani philanthropist Sardar Nasar Iqbal Khan in recognition of his extraordinary services for the Pakistani community.

The event concluded with the collective prayer for the success of Kashmiris’ struggle for their legitimate right to self-determination, as well as progress and prosperity of both Pakistan and the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.