SPGRC seeks meet with Pak PM

At a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, leaders of Stranded Pakistanis General Repatriation Committee (SPGRC)

urged Bangladesh foreign ministry and Pakistan high commission in Dhaka to arrange the meeting.

"We want an open discussion with Pakistan prime minister about the sad plights and sufferings of stranded Pakistanis languishing in different camps in the country," said Abdul Jabbar Khan, president of SPGRC.

He said the 34-year-long problem of stranded Pakistanis cannot be solved without a bilateral meeting.

SPGRC leaders said General Pervez Musharraf during his visit to Bangladesh on July 30 in 2002, promised to solve this problem after listening the pains and agonies of stranded Pakistanis.

But no positive step has yet been taken even three years after the promise, they added.

The SPGRC general secretary criticised Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka M Shawkat Ali for his interview in a TV channel in which he rejected the term 'Stranded Pakistanis' by calling them as 'Bangladeshi Biharis' and said Pakistan has no obligation towards them.

He said anger and anguish have been created among the stranded Pakistanis for giving such statement.

SPGRC Vice-president Ah-te-Sam Uddin Khan, Advisor Nesar and Member M Mahmud Khan were present at the press conference.