Saudi Arabia comes to aid of Pakistan

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