KARACHI, Sept 15: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has lauded the role played by Memon community for the country and betterment of the people.

He was speaking as chief guest at the golden jubilee convention of the All Pakistan Memon Federation (APMF) at a hotel on Sunday night.

The premier also praised the post-independence contribution of the community to the country’s welfare.

Mr Jamali pointed out that the Memon community had actively participated in the elections preceding partition of India.

Referring to the points raised by the president of the APMF in his address, the PM assured that the government would extend its full cooperation and assistance to facilitate this very body in continuing its good work.

Mr Jamali, paying rich tribute to eminent social worker Maulana Abdus Sattar Edhi said that such persons were rare, and those who performed good deeds remained alive in the memories of the people.

He said being Muslims, we should concentrate on undertaking good work for the betterment of the country and its people.

On the occasion the PM conferred, on behalf of the APMF, a life time achievement award on Maulana Abdus Sattar Edhi for his remarkable social work in the country, which was received by Rizwan Edhi on behalf of his uncle.

An award was also conferred on late Abdul Razzak Tasty which was received by his widow.

The PM also gave away awards to Abdul Ghaffar Saboonwala, Siraj Qasim Teli, Munaf Atara, Arif Habib (Pakola) and ARY Digital.

A 15-minute documentary was also unveiled which shed light on the role and contributions of the Memon community.

The participants of the convention, through a resolution, reiterated the pledge that the community would uphold the traditions of its elders by working with devotion for prosperity and peace in Pakistan.

Earlier, in his speech, president of the APMF, Mr Farooq Motlani, expressed the hope that under the present government the country would make rapid progress and problems of the people would be resolved and poverty would be alleviated.

Shedding light on the activities of the APMF, during the year 2003, Motlani pointed out that as many as nine programmes had been held so far and many more would be organized by December this year.

Mr Motlani said a sum of Rs40 million was spent on social welfare activities last year, adding that the community ran the biggest welfare network in the province of Sindh and in the country.

On the occasion, he also pointed out some of the problems faced by the Federation in rendering social work.—APP