Saudi Arabia comes to aid of Pakistan

JAKARTA: Saudi Arabia and the United States topped the list of donors at the recent international donor conference held in Pakistan's capital Islamabad to raise money for the reconstruction of earthquake-hit areas in the country, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Jakarta said.

"The Kingdom pledged US$573 million. The Kingdom also mobilized its private sector to raise additional funds and aid for the tens of thousands affected by the natural disaster," the embassy said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post.

Saudi Arabia also announced $153 million in grants and another $187 million in concessional loans. Another $120 million was raised through a fund-raising campaign, the statement said.

The statement also included Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's response to the Saudi aid.

"We the people and government of Pakistan again thank the people and government of Saudi Arabia for extending every possible financial and material assistance for accelerated relief and rescue operations," the statement quoted Musharraf as saying. -- JP